Spanish lyrics
El Cautivo de Til Til
Canta: Cecilia Echenique (Chile)
Por unas pupilas claras
que entre muchos sables
viera relucir.
Y esa risa, que escondía
no sé qué secretos
era para mí.
Cuando altivo se marchó
entre sables de alguacil,
me nubló un presentimiento al verlo partir.
Dicen que es Manuel su nombre
y que se lo llevan camino a Til Til,
que el gobernador no quiere ver por La Cañada su porte gentil.
Dicen que en la guerra fue
el mejor y en la ciudad
deslumbraba como el rayo de la libertad.
Sólo sé que ausente va
que lo llevan maniatado
que amarrado a la montura
se lo llevan lejos de la capital.
Sólo sé que el viento va,
jugueteando en sus cabellos
y que el sol brilla en sus ojos
cuando lo conducen camino a Til Til.
Dicen que era como el rayo
cuando cabalgaba sobre su corcel
y que al paso del jinete
todos le decían por nombre Manuel.
Yo no sé si volveré a verlo libre y gentil,
sólo sé que sonreía camino a Til Til.
English translation
The Captive of Til Til
El cautivo de Til Til
English translation by Patricia V. Lunn
Because of his sparkling eyes
That once among many sabers
I saw shining
And that laugh, that hid
Who knows what secrets
It was for me
When arrogant he went away
Guarded by soldiers and sabers
I was struck by a premonition as he passed by
They say he is called Manuel
And that he’s being taken to Til Til
That the governor will have no man like him in La Cañada
They say he was the very best
In battle and in the town
He was as dazzling as the light of liberty
I know only that he goes away
And that they’ve bound his hands
And tied him to his saddle
And are taking him far from the capital
I know only that the wind
Ruffles his curly hair in passing
And that the sun shines in his eyes
As they lead him towards Til Til
They say he was like lightning
When he was mounted on his steed
And as he rode by on his horse
Everyone called him by his name, Manuel
I know not if I will see him again so free and graceful
I know only that he smiled on the way to Til Til.