El primer oriental desertor [English translation]

I've heard on Radio Clarin

that Brazil invaded Uruguay

and the announcer asserts

that they've taken Tacuarembó.

And they want the guys

of my age to recruit

to send them to fight

and I say "please no, my general".

I'm a coward for war things

and Napoleon wasn't my hero

it wouldn't be a dishonor

to be the first oriental deserter

War is something new

because I don't give a damn about the homeland,

I just want to live freely

I don't care about what flag is in Plaza Cagancha.

Stop bothering me

you won't conquer me

not even in the militar dictatorship

I ever yelled "Tyrants: Tremble". 1

About Artigas the only thing I have

is the wish of moving to Paraguay

with the first black man over there

I'll be the first oriental deserter.

That cartoon of "The 33"2

only a scholar or a militar believes it

so go to another theatre

I'm not thinking to be the 34th.

And if there's no other choice

but "Freedom or Death"

I'll pick the "or"

I'll be the first oriental deserter.

1. It's a part of the Uruguayan Anthem. During the dictatorship, people used to sing the anthem in low voice except for that part that was yelled as a form of protesting.2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-Three_Orientals

• Artist:El Cuarteto de Nos
• Album:Otra navidad en las trincheras (1994)