La Puerta de Alcalá [English translation]

I go with my shadow along the avenue,

my footsteps are lost amomgst so many people,

I am looking for a gate, a way out

where past and present live together...

Suddenly I stop, something draws my attention,

I look up and meet it

and there it is, there it is, there is

The Citadel Gate seeing time go by.

One cold morning Charles III came, in emininent style

he very slowly took off his hat,

dimounted from his horse, and with a deep voice

told his footman: there is the Citadel Gate

there it is, there it is, the Citadel Gate,

seeing time go by.

Lancers in dress uniform, monarchs of other lands,

braggarts who come concocting conflict,

militias who resist under the banner "they shall not pass",

and the eternal dream as it comes and goes

and there it is, there is the Citadel Gate

seeing time go by.

All the tyrants embrace each other like brothers,

showing the people their shameless bald patches,

hordes of beggars, two hundred students

start the rebellion, it's the sixties,

there it is, there is the Citadel Gate

seeing time go by.

A down-and-out transvestite, a troublemaker policeman,

colourful hair, pierced skin,

insurgent rock-fans, complacent trendies,

poets and hangers-on, airs of freedom,

there it is, there is the Citadel Gate

seeing time go by.

I looked straight at it and was lost in its eyes,

its arches keep an eye on me, its shadow goes with me,

I don't try to hide, no-one can trick it,

all life pases before its gaze.

Look at it; Look at it, look at it. look at it,

the Citadel Gate.

Look at it; Look at it, look at it. look at it,

the Citadel Gate.

• Artist:Manuel Landeta