Alice Corbin

From “New Mexico Folk-songs”

(Translated and Original)

SAID Macario Romero to the Captain Villaplata:

Please give me permission to go to see mi chata.

Said the Captain Villaplata: Macario, what is this?

You will give your life away for a foolish woman’s kiss!

Said Macario Romero, in his stirrups rising free:

Why, they are all good friends of mine; what could they do to me?

Said the Captain Villaplata: Against my will you go;

’Twill be unhealthy for you, as you too soon will know.

Said Macario Romero, as he faced the other way:

I go to see mi chata, no man can make me stay.

Said Rosita to her papa: It’s Macario I see.

Said Papa: How do you know it?—By his horse I know it’s he!

Said the papa of Rosita: Now what joke shall we play?

Let us give a dance to fool him and take his gun away.

When Macario arrived there, they were dancing in the hall;

But Macario was careful and would not get drunk at all.

Said Rosita to Macario: Hurry up, let’s play a trick;

Saddle up two horses pronto, and for heaven’s sake be quick!

Said the papa of Rosita: Macario, my friend,

I beg you, do not take her now—you will come to no good end.

Said Macario Romero: I would gladly wait awhile,

But if I do not take her now, then all these men will smile!

Said the papa of Rosita: How badly you behave,

To go off with an hombre who will fill an early grave!

Said Rosita to her papa: It is not his fault, but mine;

’Tis I who have made love to him; we’ll go while there is time.

As they came out to the open stream, in one another lost,

When they were least expecting it, the first shot crossed.

Said Macario Romero: Why do they not stand free?

I am used to killing birds in flight, not a man I cannot see.

Said Rosita to Macario: Shoot! and let them have their fill!

I will watch your back, Macario—oh, shoot at them to kill!

Said Macario Romero: Rosita, soul divine,

I wish to die within your arms, come put your breast on mine.

Said Rosita: O Macario, Macario, my dear!

Only to die within my arms, that I have brought you here!….

Said the little child Rosita: Now you have done your worst!

Now you may kill Rosita, and forever be accurst!

She grabbed Macario’s pistol, and as they came in sight:

Now you will see, you cowards, how I shall make you fight!