Mano a Mano

Heartbroken in my sadness, I evoke you and see that you have been
In my poor wretched life, just a good woman.
Your cool presence brought warmth to my nest,
You were good, consistent, and I know you have loved me
Like you didn't love anyone, like you won't be able to love.

The game of life changed when you, poor woman,
Dodged poverty in the boarding house.
Today you're all fancy, life laughs and sings for you,
You play the fools like a pro
Like a sly cat plays with a poor mouse.

Now you have the mate full of unhappy illusions,
The suckers, friends, and the pimp fooled you;
The tango, among magnates, with its crazy temptations,
Where milongueras' ambitions triumph and fail,
It has entered deep into your poor heart.

I owe you nothing, we're even;
I don't care what you've done, what you're doing, or what you'll do...
I believe I've repaid the favors received
And if I accidentally forgot a small debt,
Charge it to the sucker you have.

Meanwhile, may your triumphs, poor fleeting triumphs,
Be a long line of wealth and pleasure;
May the pimp who shelters you have lasting pesos,
May you leave the stops with milonguero pimps
And may the boys say: She's a good woman.
And tomorrow, when you're a worn-out old piece of furniture
And you have no hope in your poor heart,
If you need help, if you need advice,
Remember this friend who will risk it all
To help you when the time comes.