El Niño Yuntero

The Young Ox Driver

El Niño Yuntero

Born as a yoke of meatCarne de yugo ha nacido
More humiliated than beautifulMás humillado que bello
With the neck pursuedCon el cuello perseguido
By the yoke for the neck.Por el yugo para el cuello.

He starts to live and startsEmpieza a vivir y empieza
To die from end to endA morir de punta a punta
Lifting the barkLevantando la corteza
Of his mother with the team.De su madre con la yunta.

He doesn't know how to count his yearsContar sus años no sabe
And already knows that sweatY ya sabe que el sudor
Is a heavy crownEs una corona grave
Of salt for the farmer.De sal para el labrador.

This hungry child hurts meMe duele este niño hambriento
Like a grandiose thornComo una grandiosa espina
And his ashy lifeY su vivir ceniciento
Stirs my soul of holm oak.Revuelve mi alma de encina.

He doesn't know how to count his yearsContar sus años no sabe
And already knows that sweatY ya sabe que el sudor
Is a heavy crownEs una corona grave
Of salt for the farmer.De sal para el labrador.

Who will save this little boyQuién salvará a este chiquillo
Smaller than a grain of oats,Menor que un grano de avena,
Where will come the hammerDe dónde saldrá el martillo
Executioner of this chain.Verdugo de esta cadena.

Let it come from the heartQue salga del corazón
Of the working menDe los hombres jornaleros
Who before being men areQue antes de ser hombres son
And have been young ox drivers.Y han sido niños yunteros.