Por Prudencio Correa

(Serranera)

I didn't see it, but I felt it clearly;
and who didn't hear the tremor
of the discharge that split
his forehead that clear afternoon?

And from those solitudes
Prudencio Correa knew,
for the hours of silence
lived on the border.

Once he was imprisoned
for fighting matters
they even took away his mate
for being Prudencio Correa,
and he said when he got out:
- Neither by force nor by good means,
they won't take me prisoner,
said Prudencio Correa.

Some time later they summoned him,
but there was no way,
Prudencio Correa was a man
of his word, anywhere;
and, although he was young, I remember
that serene afternoon,
when a band of rifles
went for Prudencio Correa.

He wasn't seen to retreat or seek
a trench;
to fulfill his word,
Prudencio Correa died;
with his sleeve rolled up
Prudencio Correa died;
with his finger on the trigger
Prudencio Correa died.

Prudencio Correa a man
of his word, anywhere.
And from those solitudes
Prudencio Correa knew.

(The italicized texts correspond to recited parts)