Fuérame a bañar a orillas del río [English translation]

I went to bathe in the riverbank

I went to bathe in the riverbank

there I met, mother; my lovely friend

he embraced me and I embraced him five times,

and I embraced him five times. [x2]

Oh Lord, what do you secretly put

on our bride's beautiful body?

oh Lord, what do you secretly put

on our bride's beautiful body?

did you use white lead or powdered gold?,

powdered gold?

I went to bathe in the riverbank

I went to bathe in the riverbank.

"My mother didn't put anything on me,

my mother didn't put anything on me,

the face of this bride is like the moon

that wears it with grace",

how can I sell it? how can I sell it?

I don't sell it by the pound nor by the cartload

I don't sell it by the pound nor by the cartload

I give it to the love of my life1

who will wear it with grace and to whom I'll bestow

all of my wealth, and to whom I'll bestow all of my wealth.

I went to bathe in the riverbank

I went to bathe in the riverbank.

1. lit. 'heart'.