Tordilho Negro

Word got around about a cowboy
From the ranch by the cliff
He had a black stallion
Wild and unruly, hard to tame

This cowboy, owner of the steed
Challenged any rider
Gave the black stallion as a gift
To anyone who could stay on their feet

I was raised working the fields
I don’t believe in ghosts
I went to the ranch to take the challenge
Rumors spread through the town

It was a Sunday, the day was bright
I saddled up and the crowd gathered
Threw my gear on the back of the beast
Ears drooped, I felt a chill

I put my boot in the stirrup
Some joker nearby laughed
They said there were eight of us
Who tried to ride, but fell down

I jumped off and shouted to the crowd
This will be the last challenge
The black stallion screamed in the spurs
For twenty hours, no one saw us

For over a league, the steed bucked
Stained the silver spurs with blood
Night fell, the crowd searched the fields
Looking for a dead man in the pasture

They bought candles, made a coffin
My soul was already claimed
At midnight, over a thousand people
Gave up the search, feeling defeated

Soon after, they heard a stampede
Looked out at the moonlit field
I was coming back on the black stallion
Happy, enjoying a smooth trot

I kicked my legs in front of the crowd
Let the reins drag in the grass
Soaked in sweat, the black stallion
Grazed around me

There was a girl in the crowd
So very gaucha, I said to her
Come try the ride on the stallion
Please, hop on the saddle

She rode the steed for over half an hour
Gave me a rose from her garden
I took my black stallion home
Just another story coming to an end