I am Carmen the gypsy,
cigar seller from Seville
and I drive the handsome men of Triana
completely crazy.
But it's not true
that story a French wrote about me
I'd fricassé him
if he ever come back here
and I will use him as a cameo
if he crosses the Pyrenees.
Chorus:
Carmen of Spain... manola,
Carmen of Spain... brave,
Carmen with her flamenco dress,
but always a Christian and decent.
I don't know who Descamillo was,
I don't know any don José
and I don't wield a knife
not even at lunchtime.
I have fire in my... eyelashes
when I look at men,
I am Carmen of Spain
and not the one by Mérimée
and not the one by Mérimée.
I've been sung to in theatres
the same way the Traviata has,
but I warn many people
that I'm likely to be wrong.
Because I'm so fed up
with a fake Carmen
that has nothing to do with me
being on the loose around.
From feet to comb
I'd beat her like a tambourine.
(Chorus)