Translation of the song Negrita Martina artist Mercedes Sosa

Escuche, Negrita Martina

Listen, little black girl Martina

La copla chiquita que el Rey va a dejar

To the little song that the King will leave

Y ponga motita en la almohada

And put your little tight curls on your pillow

Que usté está cansada de tanto esperar

For you are tired of waiting so much

Su madre está en el arroyo

Your mother is by the stream

Lavando la ropa de amita Leonor

Washing little mistress Leonor's clothes

Su padre ha vuelto cansado

Your father came back tired

No vendió un plumero, le trajo una flor

He didn't sell one feather duster, he brought you a flower

Martina, Melchor ya lo sabe

Martina, Melchior already knows

Tú no comes rosas; tú precisas pan

You don't eat roses; you need bread

Rey mago de los niños pobres

Wise Man of poor children

No te trajo harina, tan sólo canción

He didn't bring you flour, just a song

Abrace, negrita martina

Embrace, little black girl Martina

La copla chiquita que el rey le dejó

The little song the king left for you

Y ponga motita en la almohada

And put your little tight curls on the pillow

Que usté está cansada de tanto esperar

For you are tired of waiting so much