Aquella Carmen

When Carmen
When Carmen stood still, at the first light of dawn
And her body turned to marble, dark from pure race.
Barcelona,
Barcelona shouting, ordered its bells to toll
And the beat of the sardana was left breathless.
And at that very moment... the sound of the zambra went out!
Carmen gypsy born of a vine and coral.
Carmen was your extended robe, the tail of a peacock.
When you crossed the line and your flame went out
The zumaya no longer sang, nor did the guitar tremble,
Carmen, Carmen, Carmen... Carmen!
Carmen Amaya died, and all of Spain wept.

In Seville,
In Seville the mirrors, with their glass of green water,
In the tablaos they commented:
Why doesn't that Carmen return?
The malena, La Malena spoke alone
La Nina broke her combs
And Juana la macarrona lit an oil lamp.
The Giralda is armless and the Alhambra, without cypresses.
Carmen! Moorish gypsy of sweets and soot.
Carmen! Your robe was a moon of tuberose from Albaicin.
When you crossed the line and your flame went out
The Zumaya no longer sang, nor did the guitar tremble.
Carmen, Carmen, Carmen... Carmen!
Carmen Amaya died, and all of Spain wept.

From Somorrostro to the beach, her star went out
Her wall collapsed, like that of Jericho...
Carmen, Carmen, Carmen... Carmen!
Carmen Amaya died, and the whole world wept.