Fritiof och Carmencita [English translation]

In Samborombon, a small village without any streets

It's located not far from Rio de la Plata,

Almost at the corner of the blue Atlantic

And with Pampas behind it

Many hundreds of green miles1

I came there on horseback one evening in April

Because I wanted to tango.

Accordion, violin and mandolin

Was heard from the pub and I stepped into the hall,

There on the bench in Mantilla

And with a rose by hear chest

the ravishing little Carmencita sat.

The mother, the hostess, sat in the corner,

She took my riding crop, my gun and my Manila shawl.

I asked her for a dance2 and Carmencita said:

- Sí, gracias, señor, vamos a bailar este tango!

- Carmencita, my dear friend,

are you fond of me still?

Can I talk to your father and your mother,

I want to marry you, Carmencita!

- No, Don Fritiof Andersson,

do not come to Samborombon,

if you intend other things when it concerns me,

than to dance tango!

- Alas, Carmencita, do not disappointment me,

I was planing to get a job here at the store,

behave well, only save and work hard,

not gamble and drink, but only love you.

Say, Carmencita, it is but only for me,

Say it, as if you wanted to dance tango.

- No, Fritiof, you understand the music

but I do not think you can work in a store,

and apart from that, just today my father said he knew

whom soon would propose to his daughter.

One whom has twenty thousand cows

and an estancia which is splendidly large.

He has award-winning bulls,

he has oxen, sheep and swine,

and he dances a magnificent tango.

- Carmencita, dear friend,

watch out for the rich men!

Happiness does not come from calves or cows,

and it can't be bought with money.

But my love makes you wealthy,

get me a job in your store!

And once we're married you'll have sweet children,

whom can dance the tango.

1. mil = 10km2. "bjuda upp" literally mean "invite up"

• Artist:Evert Taube