Milonga para una niña [English translation]

The one who lived punished

because of a bad love,

can't find anything better,

than singing and thinking.

And if he went calculating

what blame he had,

when he sees that a woman

doesn't know about duties,

finds consolation with songs,

and forgets about love.

That's why girl I ask you,

to not have hard feelings for me,

I can't give you love,

and you can't give me oblivion.

I know that in any slip,

I was going to rear and fall,

and though you offer me solace,

I can't accept it,

I can teach you to fly,

but not to follow your flight.

I can't give you,

a subdued heart;

then the heart fails,

there's nothing to talk.

There's a way of loving,

that is a mode of consciousness;

there's a love that is patience,

and another that is only perfume.

Which love could I give you?

Who will love your innocence?

When I meet you again,

we won't be able to smile,

I'd rather see you leave,

just like I saw you coming.

When you think again,

that I met you once,

and just because,

I wrote you a song,

in your heart will sing,

the little I gave you.