Translation of the song Al buen Pedro artist José Martí

Dicen, buen Pedro, que de mí murmuras

They say, good Pedro, that you backbite about me

porque tras mis orejas el cabello

because behind my ears my hair

en crespas ondas su caudal levanta.

in crepey waves its flow lifts.

¡Diles, bribón, que mientras tú en festines,

Tell them, rascal, that while you in feasts,

en rubios caldos y en fragantes pomas,

in blond broths and fragrant flasks1,

entre mancebas del astuto Norte,

among girls from the cunning North,

de tus esclavos el sudor sangriento

of your slaves; the bloody sweat

torcido en oro descuidado bebes,

twisted in gold, careless you drink,

pensativo, febril, pálido, grave,

pensive, feverish, pale, serious,

mi pan rebano en solitaria mesa

I slice my bread on a lonely table

pidiendo ¡oh triste! al aire sordo modo

asking, oh sad! to the air deaf mode2

de libertar de su infortunio al siervo

to free the servant from his misfortune

Y de tu infamia a ti!

And of your infamy to you!

Y en estos lances,

And in these arguments,

suéleme, Pedro, en la apretada bolsa

usually, Pedro, in the tight bag

faltar la monedilla que reclama,

I lack the small coin that claims,

con sus húmedas manos el barbero (barquero).

with his wet hands the barber (boatman).