Lamento de Caboclo

Through a narrow trail among ferns
With a straw hat, I went to the mine
Filled the flask with the little mug
With fresh, clean, and crystalline water

Then I sat on the slope beside
And excited, I stayed watching
The waterfall turning the mill
And in the little stream, the pestle pounding

In the afternoon, I left the pestle still
And the pounded rice I took for dinner
I ran to the store, bought an envelope
Returned galloping on a pinto horse

Took a sip, had a hearty dinner
Thought it was important to write to my relatives
Telling them the farm was clean
And no one had fallen ill

But my poverty was spreading
And slowly taking away this happiness
Although the farm, it was the sacred cradle
I found myself forced to move to the city

Started eating packaged rice
Exchanged the flask for an enameled filter
I don't even write letters, as I live alone
I only see mills in the supermarket

If I see a pestle, it's powered by engines
Only in flower shops I see ferns
But I'm proud to see daisies
Cleaning avenues with straw hats

The longing I have kept
Will be revealed if one day I return
Then I will ask forgiveness from the present
To forever stay in the farm