Verses of the Balearic Islands
In the year one thousand nine hundred and twenty
was the first year
on the twelfth of May
on the seventh day
in the town of Orioko
by the edge of the cliff,
Balia appeared
for the first time.
Even though he was big
he was fast on his feet
He went back there
and came back
with a proud wave
swimming in the sea,
he had treasures and
he wanted to throw them away.
When they saw
that he was like that
they went to get him
looking for the trains;
harpoons and dynamite
and lots of rope,
ready to bring him
without killing people.
Five trains went
with the same crew,
fast and strong boys
all very good:
Manuel Olaizola
and Loidi.
Uranga, Atxaga and
Manterola.
The jumps and dives
made by the Balearic
were amazing
and impressive;
without turning back
to the risks there,
they killed with harpoons,
there were the locals.
Five boats were
in the middle of the bay,
men made
some quite brave;
when they saw
dead or wounded,
there was a party
with cheers and applause.
Twelve meters long,
ten wide,
four wide at the bow
and two at the stern,
with sharp edges
two more in a row
like a saw
they were beautifully.
A remarkable thing
on some days,
next to the village
there was a plan,
even from afar
people came,
they collected money
up to a thousand pesetas.
There were a thousand
and a hundred bodies.
Another hundred skinny
and belly guts,
with little food
not a bit lost,
in six pesetas of dye
it was sold.
One hundred and twenty hard
were the sharp edges,
the sharp ones were sold
with their sheaths,
cleaned and kept
they have sharp points
with big accounts
sharp and round.
I have put what happened
on the side of truth,
if it is not like this
ask the people;
with our hearts in place
we are comfortable,
up with the Oriotarrak
without saying a word.