Hot chili peppers in the blistering sun,
dust on the face and on the hat
me and Maddalena in the west
we opened our eyes beyond the gate.
I gave my guitar to the baker's son
for a pizza and a rifle
I'll buy another one along the road
and I'll play for Maddalena at dusk.
Don't cry, Maddalena, God will look after us
and soon we'll get to Durango
Hold me tight, Maddalena, this desert will be over
and you'll be dancing the fandango.
After the Aztec temples and the ruins
the first stars on the Rio Grande
At night I dream of the belltower
and Ramon's neck covered in blood.
It was me, at the inn,
I pulled the trigger.
Come, my Maddalena, let's fly away
the dog is barking and what's done is done.
Don't cry, Maddalena, God will look after us
and soon we'll get to Durango
Hold me tight, Maddalena, this desert will be over
and you'll be dancing the fandango.
At the corrida with tequila and ice
we'll see the toreador touch the sky
in the shade of the old stand
where Villa used to cheer the rodeo.
The friar will pray for forgiveness,
he'll welcome us into the mission.
I'll have new boots and a golden earring
and you'll take the Holy Communion under the bridal veil.
The road is long but I can see the end,
we'll get there for the ball.
God will appear to us on the hills
with his emerald, lizard-like eyes.
Don't cry, Maddalena, God will look after us
and soon we'll get to Durango
Hold me tight, Maddalena, this desert will be over
and you'll be dancing the fandango.
What's the bang I heard?
I have a hot pain in my back.
Sit here, hold your breath:
maybe I wasn't that shrewd.
Quick Maddalena, take my gun
find the point where the flash came from.
Aim well, try to hit it,
we may never see Durango again.
Don't cry, Maddalena, God will look after us
and soon we'll get to Durango
Hold me tight, Maddalena, this desert will be over
and you'll be dancing the fandango.