Alfonsina and the Sea
(a translation of Alfonsina y el mar
an Argentine zamba by
Félix Luna, lyrics, and Ariel Ramirez, music)
Where the water lingers along the shore
Traces of your footsteps are seen no more
Just a path of loneliness, silence, and pain
on its way
to the deeps of the ocean.
Lonely path of heartache and sorrow silently leads
down to the ocean.
How you must have doubted to make the choice
Was it just old memories that hushed your voice
Calling you to lie, cuddled close, in the song of the sea
in the arms of the ocean.
Lullabies that rise from the ocean’s fathomless floor
songs of the ocean.
Alfonsina, off to your lonely retreat
Did you find new poems there in the deep?
Did you hear a salty old voice on the wind
calling you to follow
full of pain and sorrow?
There you go-- do you dream,
do you sleep, Alfonsina,
at rest on the bed of the sea?
Soon a band of mermaids will take your hands
leading you through coral and emerald sands
At your side the seahorses gleam
phosphorescent they seem,
as they’re dancing and swinging.
Here the sea life swims to your side
to frolic and play, prancing and singing.
Dim the light now please, just a little more.
Let me sleep in peace, Nanny, close the door.
Oh, and if he calls, let him know not to bother again
Alfonsina won’t be here.
If he calls just tell him don’t ever bother again,
Say I won’t be here.
the unattributed image above was taken from
http://www.espagnolfacile.com/exercices/exercice-espagnol-2/exercice-espagnol-29187.php