Violeta Ausente

Why did I leave Chile
When I was doing so well there
Now I'm in strange lands
Oh, singing, but feeling down

I have a thorn in my chest
That keeps stabbing me non-stop
It's my heart that's suffering
Oh, for my Chilean land

I want to dance cueca
I want to drink chicha
I want to go to the market
To buy myself a Pequén
Go to Matucana
Stroll through Quinta
And to Santa Lucía
With you, my dear

Before leaving Chile
I didn't understand
What it means to be Chilean
Oh, now I really know
Just like my eyes are crying
As I sing this song
So does my guitar weep
Oh, sadly the strings

I want to dance cueca
I want to drink chicha
I want to go to the market
To buy myself a Pequén
Go to Matucana
Stroll through Quinta
And to Santa Lucía
With you, my dear

How far away my Chile is
Far from my other half
How far my eight siblings are
Oh, my comadre and my mom
Feels like it's been a century
Since I knew anything from Chile
That's why I'm writing this letter
Oh, I'm sending it from here to there

I want to dance cueca
I want to drink chicha
I want to go to the market
To buy myself a Pequén
Go to Matucana
Stroll through Quinta
And to Santa Lucía
With you, my dear