"Papeles Mojados" by Chambao, English translation of Spanish lyrics
"Wet Papers"
Album: Con Otro Aire (With Another Air), 2007
Style: Gypsy-influenced Spanish music
Country: Spain
Listen: YouTube
Translation:
Miles de sombras cada noche trae la marea.
Navegan cargaos de ilusiones que en la orilla se quedan. [*ilusiones = dreams, hopes, lit. illusions]
Historias del día día, historias de buena gente.
Se juegan la vida cansaos, con hambre y un frío que pela.
Every night, the tide brings in thousands of shadows.
They navigate laden with dreams left at the shore.
Stories of the day, the real day, histories of good people.
They gamble their lives fatigued, with hunger and a cold that hurts.
Ahogan sus penas con una candela -- ponte tú en su lugar --
El miedo que en sus ojos reflejan, la mar se echo a llorar.
They drown their sorrows with a candle -- put yourself in their place --
The fear that they reflect in their eyes, the sea has thrown itself to tears.
Chorus:
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Muchos no llegan, se hunden sus sueño
Papeles mojaos, papeles sin dueño.
(x2)
Many do not make it, their dreams sink to ruin
Wet papers, papers without owner.
(x2)
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Fragiles recuerdos a la deriva degarran el alma,
Cala to los huesos el agua los arrastra sin esperanza. [*esperanza (f.) = hope]
La impotencia en su garganta con sabor a sal,
Una bocanada de aire le da otra oportunidad.
Fragile memories in the drift rip the soul to shreds [*alt. fragile keepsakes]
Penetrates all the bones the water drags them without mercy.
The powerlessness in their throats with the taste of salt,
A mouthful of air gives (them) another opportunity.
Tanta injustícia me desespera -- ponte tú en su lugar --
El miedo que en sus ojos reflejan, la mar se echo a llorar.
(x2)
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