Milonga del Cordobés
Alfredo Zitarrosa
Cordobés Milonga
(Milonga)
Because I'm a man without vice,
I belong to the Indians
of General Aparicio.
He didn't want in his country,
the doctors and crooks,
perched up high,
robbing those below.
Among the greedy and swindlers,
his motto was for the homeland
and, when he saddled his horse
and called the countrymen,
it wasn't out of arrogance
with a white poncho in the lead.
He saw his brothers die,
he knew what awaited him,
with the serene clarity
of his eyes and his beard.
He was as Florencio described,
in his letters portraying him,
a lot of courage and cunning,
skill, suspicion,
or was it common sense,
to tread the wide land,
wishing it without deceit,
seen by Javier de Viana.
Among the greedy and swindlers,
his motto was for the homeland;
as there are always deserters,
you said, it's the shell
that goes away, the core remains
and you led the way in the march.
But from the Tricolor
a bullet was seeking you
and found you in Masoller,
the Homeland agonized.
Eagles of the Cordobés,
harassed by crooks,
who won't turn their eyes
to your emblem for the homeland.
Because I'm a man without vice,
I belong to the Indians
of General Aparicio.
* In the author's version this stanza is sung.
(The italicized texts correspond to recited parts)
