La Plaça del Diamant [English translation]

Your eyes are filled with words,

Your life spreads before you;

The windows of toy shops,

Easy songs to sing.

Song from a time of tram cars

And streets with uneven stone pavements;

Sunny days and rainy days,

Going up and down the quarter.

Full moon nights,

Dreams under a marquee...

As beautiful as some princess

From some children's fairy tale,

I watch you tiptoeing a waltz

In Diamond Square! 1

And you, up on the rooftop, hanging clothes to dry

Or sat sewing.

All alone with the afternoon

And surrounded by handrails,

The wind and sheer blueness.

Feeling that days go by

As if everything were a game of chance:

A rose for Saint George 2

And black flowers for All Saints. 3

Random chit chat at the shops,

Bright colours in the market;

The scent of sulphur and moonlight

Every Saint John's Eve. 4

Full moon nights,

Dreams under a marquee...

As beautiful as some princess

From some children's fairy tale,

I watch you tiptoeing a waltz

In Diamond Square!

And you, up on the rooftop, hanging clothes to dry

Or sat sewing.

All alone with the afternoon

And surrounded by handrails,

The wind and sheer blueness.

Long Sunday afternoons,

Moondust on the rooftops,

The quietude of Winter evenings,

When it becomes dark very early.

The feeling of a lost rose,

The brightness of misty glass,

A broken toy,

The ashes of a beloved bird...

Full moon nights,

Dreams under a marquee...

As beautiful as some princess

From some children's fairy tale,

I watch you tiptoeing a waltz

In Diamond Square...!

1. The inspiration for this song is the classic novel 'La Plaça del Diamant (known as The Time of the Doves in English), written in 1962 by Catalan writer Mercè Rodoreda. Most of this song refers to the experiences and ideas of the novel's main (and probably least interesting) character, Colometa. The square actually does exist in the district of Gràcia in Barcelona - it was never a particularly beautiful place, but it had its charm. In the early 90s it was refurbished and nowadays, it is downright ugly.2. Sant Jordi is one of Catalonia's most important festivals, celebrated every year on the 23rd of April. Traditionally, men gift roses to their wives or girlfriends, and women gift books to their husbands or boyfriends.3. All Hallows' Day is celebrated on the 1st of November in the Roman Catholic calendar. 4. Again, one of Christendom's most important Summer festivals, celebrated on the 23rd of June. Fire festivals, inherited from pagan traditions, are very common - these are very popular all over Catalonia.