Fritiof Och Carmensita
Evert Taube
Fritiof And Carmensita
In Samborombon, a small village without a street
not far from Rio de la Plata, it's discreet
almost on the edge of the blue Atlantic
and with Pampas behind it, many hundred green miles
there I rode one evening in April with smiles
'cause I wanted to dance the tango.
Accordion, violin, and mandolin
were heard from the tavern, so I stepped in
there on the bench in a cloak, with a rose on her chest
sat the enchanting little Carmensita.
The mother, the hostess, sat away
she took my riding crop, my gun, and my coat, okay
I asked her to dance, and Carmensita said:
-Yes, thank you, sir, let's dance this tango!
-Carmensita, my dear friend,
do you still like me in the end?
Can I talk to your dad and your mom, oh please
I want to marry you, Carmensita!
-No, Don Fritiof Andersson,
don't come to Samborombon
if you have other plans for me, you see
than just dancing the tango!
-Oh, Carmensita, don't disappoint me so
I thought I'd get a job at the store, you know
take care of myself, just work and save
not play and drink, but only love you brave
Tell me, Carmensita, it's all for me
say you want to dance the tango.
-No, Fritiof, you understand music, it's true
but I don't think you can handle a store, boo
and besides, my dad said today that he knew
who would soon propose to his daughter, too
A man with twenty thousand cows
and a huge estate that wows
he has award-winning bulls
he has oxen, sheep, and pigs, he's cool
and he dances tango like a pro.
-Carmensita, my dear friend,
beware of rich men, don't pretend!
Happiness doesn't live in calves or cows
and it can't be bought with money vows
But my love will make you rich
get me a job at your store, which
And when we're married, sweet babies we'll have, you'll see.