Juanita La Lavandera

Juanita the washerwoman
was from Venezuela
washing clothes for the laborers
who worked for the boss
and mending the underwear
of her unemployed husband

Juanita the washerwoman
could just as well be called Petra
it's all the same misery
of Juanita, the one who washes
and Petra, the one who makes arepas

Come on, you little shit
don't ask for bread
come on, I have a lot to work on
since yesterday I've been washing for the boss
come on, I have clothes to mend
Oh my, oh my
to mend (repeat)

Her dad went to see
the civil chief
to settle the dispute
with the boss
because if they take away
our shack
we won't have anywhere to live
Oh my, oh my
anywhere to live (repeat)

I can hear her dad's footsteps
and I see his face is really worried
it seems like, as always, the civil chief
has come to an agreement with the boss today
Oh my, oh my, with the boss (repeat)

Come on, you little shit
fight for your bread
come on, you little shit
struggle for your bread
Come on, it's raining outside
go play in the puddles
my little cart, don't make your mom cry

Juanita the washerwoman
washed in Venezuelan style
when she used detergent
the dirt would wash away
but thinking it over, Juanita
society and your tub
are almost the same thing
with the weight of the tub
and the dirt that goes underneath
if you let time pass
it'll be hard to break it
breaking it takes work

From the president, her mom from the President