Ojos Verdes [English translation]

Leaning against the door jamb

I looked at how a night in May became lit up.

Men walked by,

And I smiled at them

Until your horse alighted at my doorstep.

"Hill-dweller, do you have a candle to spare?"

And I said to you, "Andalusian,

Oh, come,

And take my lips,

And I'll give you fire."

You left your horse,

And I gave you light,

And for me your two eyes were bright, green stars of May.

Green eyes,

Green like

Basil,

Green like the green wheat,

And the green, green lemon,

With the brightness of curved knives

That have stabbed themselves into my heart.

For me there are no more suns,

No more star, no more moon,

There is nothing but two eyes which are my life.

Green eyes, green like

Basil,

Green like green wheat,

And the green, green lemon.

From the room we saw the early morn awaken

And the sound of the dawn on the tower, in the candle*

You let my arm go as the sun went up,

And you left my mouth tasting of mint and cinnamon.

"Hill-dweller, I'd like to give you this for a dress."

I said to you, "It's all accounted for;

You need not give me a thing."

You mounted your horse,

You went away from me;

And never a night so beautiful

As that night in May have I experienced again.

• Artist:Amália Rodrigues