Violeta Ausente

Absent Violeta

Violeta Ausente

Why did I leave ChilePorqué me vine de Chile
When I was doing so well thereTan bien que yo estaba allá
Now I'm in strange landsAhora ando en tierras extrañas
Oh, singing, but feeling downAy, cantando, pero apena'o

I have a thorn in my chestTengo en mi pecho una espina
That keeps stabbing me non-stopQue me clava sin cesar
It's my heart that's sufferingEs mi corazón que sufre
Oh, for my Chilean landAy, por su tierra Chilena

I want to dance cuecaQuiero bailar cueca
I want to drink chichaQuiero tomar chicha
I want to go to the marketQuiero ir al merca'o
To buy myself a PequénPa' comprarme un Pequén
Go to MatucanaIr a Matucana
Stroll through QuintaPasear por la Quinta
And to Santa LucíaY a Santa Lucía
With you, my dearContigo mi bien

Before leaving ChileAntes de salir de Chile
I didn't understandYo no supe comprender
What it means to be ChileanLo que vale ser chileno
Oh, now I really knowAy, ahora sí que lo sé
Just like my eyes are cryingIgual que lloran mis ojos
As I sing this songAl cantar esta canción
So does my guitar weepAsí llora en mi guitarra
Oh, sadly the stringsAy, penosamente el bordon

I want to dance cuecaQuiero bailar cueca
I want to drink chichaQuiero tomar chicha
I want to go to the marketQuiero ir al merca'o
To buy myself a PequénPa' comprarme un Pequén
Go to MatucanaIr a Matucana
Stroll through QuintaPasear por la Quinta
And to Santa LucíaY a Santa Lucía
With you, my dearContigo mi bien

How far away my Chile isQué lejos está mi Chile
Far from my other halfLejos mi media mitad
How far my eight siblings areQué lejos mis ocho hermanos
Oh, my comadre and my momAy, mi comadre y mi mamá
Feels like it's been a centuryParece que hiciera un siglo
Since I knew anything from ChileQue de Chile no sé ná'
That's why I'm writing this letterPor eso escribo esta carta
Oh, I'm sending it from here to thereAy, la mando de aquí pa' allá

I want to dance cuecaQuiero bailar cueca
I want to drink chichaQuiero tomar chicha
I want to go to the marketQuiero ir al merca'o
To buy myself a PequénPa' comprarme un Pequén
Go to MatucanaIr a Matucana
Stroll through QuintaPasear por la Quinta
And to Santa LucíaY a Santa Lucía
With you, my dearContigo mi bien