Coplas Americanas
Isabel Parra
American Verses
To sing an improvisation
Good talent is required,
Memory and understanding,
Strength of a purebred rooster.
Like a hailstorm
The words must be adorned,
Even the devil will be amazed
With so many beautiful reasons
As in the conversations
Between Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Because it's the first time
That I sing in this house,
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
Glory to the Holy Spirit.
You are small and pretty,
It's a pity you're so crazy,
You seem like an old guitar
That anyone can play.
Yesterday when I loved you
You seemed like a star
And now that I don't love you anymore,
Wow, what a fierce animal!
One must woo a friend's wife
Because helping them love
Is an act of charity.
I like to sing loudly
And have my voice heard
So that even in hell they know
That there is a singer on earth.
I'm leaving now, I'm going,
I bid farewell singing,
I bid farewell crying.
