Looking to make a fortune as an emigrant
I left for other lands,
and among the girls
one stayed behind crying for my love.
return to the village
don't cry any more woman
'cause within a few years
I'll return a very rich man
and if you wait for me
whatever you want from me
you will get
My Maitechu
My Maitechu
be quiet and don't cry anymore.
I'll come back to love you with all my soul my Maitechu,
I'll come back to sing zorcicos1 as I go by,
I'll come back to tell you the things I used to,
for gold I cross the ocean
and you should wait.
I struggled for money
and when I considered myself rich, I came back for her,
I jumped to dry land
'cause I dreamed of her love.
As I arrive at the village
I'm going to see her again
she doesn't come out to meet me
What could have happened?
She died crying and sighing,
"My love, where are you?"
My Maitechu
My Maitechu
I'll never see you again.
I'll never again love you with all my soul my Maitetxu
Nor will I ever sing zorcicos as I go by
Or the the things that I used to say to you
I got the gold
But I lost the love.
My Maitechu
My Maitechu
I'll never see you again.
1. A musical composition in 5/8 time, popular in Basque country.