Paloma querida (Paloma My Dear)
Music and Lyrics by José Alfredo Jiménez
Translation by Coby Lubliner
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Por el día en que llegaste a mi vida, Paloma querida, me puse a brindar; y al sentirme un poquito tomado pensando en tus labios me dio por cantar. Me sentí superior a cualquiera y un puño de estrellas te quise bajar; y al mirar que ninguna alcanzaba me dio tanta rabia que quise llorar. Yo no sé lo que valga mi vida pero yo te la quiero entregar; yo no sé si tu amor la reciba pero yo te la vengo a dejar. Me encontraste en un negro camino como un peregrino sin rumbo ni fe; y la luz de tus ojos divinos cambiaron mis penas por dicha y placer. Desde entonces yo siento quererte con todas las fuerzas que el alma me da; desde entonces, Paloma querida, mi pecho he cambiado por un palomar. Yo no sé lo que valga mi vida pero yo te la quiero entregar, yo no sé si tu amor la reciba pero yo te la vengo a dejar. |
I drank toasts to the very day here, Paloma my dear, when you came along; And it made me a little bit tipsy To think of your lips, and I burst into song. I felt higher than anyone living And was set on giving you stars from the sky; Then I saw that they weren’t to be had and It made so mad that I wanted to cry. I don’t know if my life is worth living, But to give it to you is my aim; I don’t know how you’ll take what I’m giving, But I’ll leave you my life all the same. I was on a dark road when you found me, Like someone who roams with no aim or belief; And your eyes shining brightly around me Made pleasure and joy take the place of my grief. Ever since then I’ve felt that I love you With all of the strength that I have in my heart; Ever since them, Paloma my dear, A dovecote is in me and never will part. I don’t know if my life has much value, But to give it to you is my aim; I don’t know what it takes to corral you, But I’ll leave you my life all the same. |
Translation © 2006 by Jacob Lubliner
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