La Piragua
Jose Barros
The Canoe
I was told by the elders that long ago
There sailed a canoe named César
That set off from the Banco, an old port
To the beaches of love in Chimichagua
Riding out the storm, it would shudder
And unyielding, it defied the tempest
And an army of stars followed it
Dotted with light and legend
It was the canoe of Guillermo Cubillos
(It was the canoe, it was the canoe)
It was the canoe of Guillermo Cubillos
(It was the canoe, it was the canoe)
The canoe, the canoe
The canoe, the canoe
Twelve rowers with skin like mahogany
And with them the fearsome Pedro Albundia
At night, they pulled the oars
Creating a melodic crackle of beautiful cumbia
Twelve shadows, now old, no longer row
The wood no longer creaks in the water
Only memories remain in the sand
Where the canoe lies sleeping
It was the canoe of Guillermo Cubillos
(It was the canoe, it was the canoe)
It was the canoe of Guillermo Cubillos
(It was the canoe, it was the canoe)
The canoe, the canoe
The canoe, the canoe
It was the canoe of Guillermo Cubillos
(It was the canoe, it was the canoe)
It was the canoe of Guillermo Cubillos
(It was the canoe, it was the canoe)
The canoe, the canoe
The canoe, the canoe
