It was Mari Carmen,
Virgin gypsy with tanned skin
More than a young lady,
She was a dark metal sculpture.
Her hair matte just like sloe berries,
Twice I was walking and took a flower,
And there was the most beautiful and finest gypsy
That anyone had taken,
To that great painter.
And when the people admired her portrait
Like this the poor gypsy sang to her:
"Mari Carmen
I love you
Because you are the pink carnation bloom
Which [reaches] from the earth to heaven
You draw it out (you cause the carnation to bloom)
Carnations bloom from your soft words
Mari Carmen, allow me to love you".
When she gained fame,
She shunned the gypsy and left him.
And although fortune was in her hands
It was worth nothing.
That being so far away from he who loved her
Happiness can't be found in money.
And in going round the world she lost her joy
Like those flowers that are replanted.
And in seeing the portrait that the world so admired
Like this the poor gypsy sang to her with great sorrow:
With with great sorrow he sang to her:
"Mari Carmen
I love you
Because you are the pink carnation bloom
Which [reaches] from the earth to heaven
You draw it out, you draw it out (you cause the carnation to bloom)
Carnations bloom from your soft words
Carnations bloom Mari Carmen,
Allow me to love you".
Of jasmine and roses your body smells,
Oh [of flowers] your body smells,
Mari Carmen, let me love you.