Coplas Del Valle

(Zamba)

This wandering zamba
is arriving
and joins the circle,
as if playing.

A little handkerchief in the air
and a hope:
a heart burning
like an ember.

I come from Aimogasta,
to Las Pirquitas.
I bring a flower from the air of the hill,
for my girl from Tinogasta, lovely girl.

Come, let's dance the zamba
with a quick rhythm:
there you can hear a drum,
through the ravine.

When I return to my homeland,
I will take
a vicuña poncho,
made in the valley.

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circle: dance figure consisting of two or more linked couples spinning in a circle

Aimogasta: head of the Araujo department in the province of La Rioja (northwest Argentina)

pa': (Argentine slang) for

Las Pirquitas: locality belonging to the province of Catamarca

tinogasteña: native of Tinogasta, a town in Catamarca near La Rioja

churita: (Quechua) pretty

ravine: narrow and steep mountain pass or opening

homeland: town or birthplace

poncho: indigenous blanket with a hole for the head to pass through

'i: (Contraction) of

vicuña: ruminant camelid mammal similar to the llama with long and fine hair