Sevillanas de Chamberí [English translation]

With a background of guitars

and a ringing of finger snaps,

is still singing it's sorrows

this land where I was born.

Now the sevillanas are

among false joys

what Andalucia sells

from New York to Paris.

And they come to learn them,

more serious than judges,

bankers and MPs,

elite gentlemen,

they come to the academy

wanting to get gracefulness

the same way one gets

the driving license.

And among shadows and lights of Andalucia,

it seemed that gracefulness was sold.

How shines and glitters. Long live Madrid!

let's dance Chamberí Sevillanas

and have a good time at the Seville April Fair.

Chorus:

Arsa que toma y olé,

long live the Andalucian gracefulness.

Arsa que toma y olé,

they've already learned the first one.

Arsa que toma y olé,

they're already rehearsing the second.

Arsa que toma y olé,

with the third...

they can shove it...

II

Among claps and oles,

taking turns at the tablaos,

with a pin nailed

in the middle of the heart.

To the beat of a pasodoble,

singing in foreign lands,

the Spain tambourine1

was looking for it's salvation.

But in a February day,

the joy dressed in green and white,

the Andalucian spirit

suddenly got up.

And ordered to stop the party

with acknowledgment of receipt

every man to his home

the party is over.

And when it was clear about that

they gave again the finger to Andalucia.

How shines and glitters. Long live Madrid!

let's dance Chamberí Sevillanas

and have a good time at the Seville April Fair.

(Chorus)

1. It's a reference to the despective phrase "España, país de pandereta" (Spain, tambourine country) that comes from the Antonio Machado's poem "El Mañana Efímero"