Milonga madre
Alfredo Zitarrosa
Mother Milonga
(Milonga)
Mother Milonga singing
I met you, I didn't even know when
I know that one afternoon in a tango I could hear you
humming it.
Mother Milonga in your sentimental arms
they went to the deck
dads and yiros passing by
when your love touched their hearts.
Mother Milonga in the leaves
your noble clavelina with a flamenco lineage
should have turned into a violent chamuchina flower
the color of malvón.
And because of your wide hips, mother milonga
with a peasant walk, the yumba paved the way
and a troyera was born in the milongón.
Mother Milonga, you were, for the cardboard
without love or taquera, a mixed-up and cheeky chick
who chatted about a fling.
Maybe the guy was dreaming, mother milonga
and you were caressing him, if he was a tough guy and passed by
to be a buddy and a punisher.
Mother Milonga singing I met you
I didn't even know when
I know that one afternoon in a tango I could hear you
humming it.
Mother Milonga in your sentimental arms
they went to the deck
dads and yiros passing by
when your love touched their hearts.
(The punctuation and versification are by Alfredo Zitarrosa)
