Alma de Nogal

(Zamba)

My song comes alone,
through a sleepy path.
The guitar, wood turned into life:
zamba's belly, weathered hand.

Morning cricket,
that mixed in the gauchaje:
companion clarion of departure,
resonant lance that gave courage.

The earth sprouts, leaving
its rough course to the air.
Flesh of the mountain, somber trembling,
cry of the bagualero.
Dawn of torcaza and goldfinch,
at the foot of the silence of the night.

Female who sings and cries;
kiss trembling in the shadows.
You will return, pouring into the soul,
light of the vineyards, tender vidalas.

The walnut tree of the mountain bleeds,
fruit, aged sap.
It will germinate, leaving life,
blossom from its bosom; vibrating branch.

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Engineer Jacobazzi: city in the Patagonian province of Río Negro famous for its tourist train

gauchaje: group of gauchos; multitude

bagualero: singer of bagualas; fierce; untamed
torcaza: dove that nests in the countryside and in tall trees with a gray head and coppery chest

vidala: popular Argentine song, of a melancholic or loving nature