Remedios La Bella

She was born enclosed in a sunbeam
and in a flight of golden butterflies
and her eyes of ember and silver hair
illuminated the Antillean night
the fortune teller said that Remedios the beauty
was a gift sent from heaven
after years of hunger and bent backs
for the people of Santa Maria
La lala lala the sky brought Remedios the beauty
La lala lala the sky took her and brought her here
Time passed, lost among the potions
and ointments of Melchiade the gypsy
in the crowded square of bird cages
of fritters and iguana eggs
Remedios the beauty walked lightly
like an angel fallen by chance
among foreign tourists and the rooster's cries
in the market of Santa Maria
Lalalalala the sky brought Remedios the beauty
Lalalalala the sky took her and brought her here
A ray of light blinded the Caribbean
and Remedios the beauty flew
with a dress of rags inflated by the wind
and a rain of golden butterflies
and people watched the hole in the sky
while Mrs. Esperanza prayed
"there's no place for angels at a spice stall
in the market of Santa Maria"
Lalalalala the sky brought Remedios the beauty
Lalalalala the sky took her and brought her here