Les lavandières du Portugal [English translation]

Have you heard of the washerwomen

You may see in Portugal

Especially by the river

In the city of Setubal?

They don't really work in wash houses

But rather in birdhouses

You should hear and see them

Beat out the rythm of their songs with their beaters

      As long as there's laundry to be washed

    We shall drink manzanilla 1

    As long as there's laundry to be washed

    We shall do without men

    And hit, and hit and hit with your beater

    And hit, and hit, you'll sleep better tonight

When a man comes by

Especially if he is young and good-looking

Their straps fall down right away

From their fresh shoulders

But if it's a tramp

Or even some kind of old hidalgo

They play at sending him water

Singing in a scratchy voice

      As long as there is laundry to be washed

    We shall drink manzanilla 1

    As long as there is laundry to be washed

    We shall do without men

At dawn the washerwomen

Leave with their white linen

You should see their proud figures

Standing out on the twilight sky

With their basket balanced on their head

Like ancient goddesses

You could hear slowly fading away the sound

Of their chorus and their soft steps

      As long as there is laundry to be washed

    We shall drink manzanilla 1

    As long as there is laundry to be washed

    We shall do without men

    And hit, and hit and hit with your beater

    And hit, and hit, you'll sleep better tonight

      And hit, and hit and hit with your beater

    And hit, and hit, you'll sleep better tonight

    And hit, and hit...

1 In the present case, a type of sherry

• Artist:Jacqueline François