Lavandera Chaguanca

Laundress Chaguanca

Lavandera Chaguanca

Bernardina, water from the mountainBernardina, agua del monte
Oh, laundress ChaguancaAy, lavandera chaguanca
Weaves a sorrow in the nightTeje una pena en la noche
And immerses it in the dawnY la zambulle en el alba

Her black mica eyesSus negros ojos de mica
Occasionally seek nothingBuscan de a ratos la nada
As if wanting to wash awayComo queriendo lavarle
All the sorrows from the soulTodas las penas al alma

Sometimes she leaves her shadowA veces deja su sombra
Stuck in a hopeClavada en una esperanza
And it turns into foamY se le vuelve de espuma
Like a white doveComo una paloma blanca
Bernardina MendezBernardina Mendez
Doesn't think, just washesNo piensa, solo lava

The river rises to the skyEl rio se sube al cielo
And Bernardina reaches itY Bernardina lo alcanza
Above her povertyArriba de su pobreza
They are grinding down her raceLe estan moliendo la raza

Juan, the tough guy, is peelingJuan, el cimba, anda pelando
Out there in the mountains of SaltaAlla en los montes de Salta
And his sugar heartY su corazon de azucar
Is slipping away in the waterSe le va llendo en el agua