De La María Al Claraz

From María to Claraz

The frost was a white blanket
Covering the grasslands
The wild horses were frolicking
Trying to speed up their pace

The sun was rising boldly
Warming up the mountains
I left María
By order of the foreman
I was heading to Claraz
And on that cold morning

Stepping on wagon tracks
Wrapped up in my dark poncho
With my fingers half numb
I could barely roll a cigarette

In a muddy puddle
A hornero was making a fuss
Nearby a goldfinch was singing
In a very fine tone
And even a scared carancho
Let out its ominous cry

The colts I was leading
With various colored coats
In front and carefree
They were frolicking around
And when one of them
Was distracted grazing
The whip's whistle
Cracked marvelously
And joined the herd
In a full gallop

Climbing towards midday
I passed by a deserted house
That belonged to a certain Manieres
A store or a general store
A bite of cold meat
I had it with a biscuit
I had it in my bag
Just like a wine flask
And so I continued on the road
With a full belly

I kept shortening the distance
And with a whistled milonga
With the afternoon halfway through
I appeared in Numancia
Sacrifice is not gain
I said to myself and unsaddled
I had a giniebra
To the boss's health
And after a gallop
I made up for lost time

With night almost falling
Maybe a little tired
I arrived, and to the same person in charge
I was able to deliver the herd
The matter was settled
And right there, as I tell you
My dark horse is a witness
I demanded it because he's capable
To barbecue in Claraz
At a friend's ranch