Helena [English translation]

It's been days that

leaned over the balcony

I've lost the day's wage

chatting with a sparrow

more bored than I.

Or looking at how

the leaves fall of a Holly Oak

smelling rosemary.

How they return to blossom

and they return to lose its' leaves.

It's been days that I don't know how many days it's been.

It's been days that I'm telling myself… tomorrow

and I wait…

I wait.

Living with nothing.

Working for nothing

and one day like if nothing

I die from nothing.

Farewell. Thank you.

At the back of a bar

I sip coffee with liquor

to warm up my heart

while death arrives

to play subastado*.

It's been days that I don't know how many days it's been.

It's been days that I'm telling myself… tomorrow

and I wait…

and I wait…

and I wait…

Leaned over the balcony

I wait.

Laying bare the horizon

I wait.

I wait for my enjoyment

and for my shame

by day and by night

that Helena returns

that Helena returns…

and it's when she passes by my street

even the geranium blink at her.

The air returns tepid with her breath

and the cobblestone looks up

to her dark skin.

When Helena goes by.

When she looks you know the source

when she wants, you give her.

When she cries, you know that it is mourning.

When she's quiet, I tremble all over.

When she loves, love takes flight…

And between rooves the Sun swings

and the birdies from the cables of light

look jealously as she laughs and moves.

Color of long wait and perfume

of full moon

my Helena.

My Helena…

but…

It's been days that

standing on my feet causes me pain

rheumatism breaks my fingers

and the last sparrow has fled.

• Artist:Joan Manuel Serrat
• Album:Per al meu amic