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( Poem #1355) The Day That You Love Me It caresses my dream,
the smooth murmur of your sighing.
How life laughs,
if your black eyes look at me.
And if it is mine the shelter
of your slight laughter
that is like singing,
it calms my wound,
everything is forgotten.
The day that you love me
the rose that adorns,
will dress in celebration
with its best color
And to the wind the church bells
will say that already you are mine,
and the crazy fountains
will tell about their love.
The night that you love me
from the blue of the sky
the jealous stars
will watch us go by.
And a mysterious ray
will nest in your hair,
inquisitive glow-worm that'll see
that you are my consolation.
The day that you love me
there'll be nothing but harmony.
The dawn will be clear
and the water spring will be happy.
The breeze will quietly bring
a rumor of melody.
And the fountains will give us
their crystal song.
The day that you love me
the singing bird
will sweeten its cords.
Life will bloom
pain will not exist.
The night that you love me
from the blue of the sky
the jealous stars
will watch us go by.
And a mysterious ray
will nest in your hair,
inquisitive glow-worm that'll see
that you are my consolation.
-- Alfredo Lepera |
(Translated by: Alberto Paz)
"The Day that You Love Me" is the English translation of "El Dia que Me
Quieras,"an exquisite love ballad from 1935 made popular in Latin America and
the Caribbean by the renowned Tango balladeer, Carlos Gardel. Incidentally,
the legendary Gardel also wrote its music which even as a piano solo, has the
ability to make one transcend space, thought and circumstance.
The poetic lyrics of "El Dia" speak about the realization of a near alchemical
kind of love, and the sublime feelings and blissful experiences such a love
would engender. These transformational feelings and experiences are best
understood through its highly romantic Spanish version. For though I love the
possibility in the union of most words of various languages, the words of some
languages are good for thinking and other linear activities, but sometimes, a
language like Spanish is best for FEELing "El Dia que Me Quieras."
Not succumbing to absolute, literal translations but prefering those which
remain authentic to the piece's orginal ideas yet contain space for subtle,
cultural nuances, following is my English version of "El Dia que Me Quieras" or
"The Day that You Love Me" followed by the Castilian Spanish original.
Alkemygirl
THE DAY THAT YOU LOVE ME
It caresses my dreams,
the delicate murmur of your sighs.
How life would smile,
if your dark eyes would look my way.
And if mine would be the mercy
of your soft laughter--like a song--
it would soothe my wound
and all else would be forgotten.
The day that you love me,
the embellishing rose
would festively dress
in the loveliest of colour.
And to the wind,
the church bells would declare
that you are mine
while the foolish fountains
recount their love.
The evening that you love me,
from the blue of the sky,
the jealous stars,
will see us pass by.
And a mysterious bolt of light
will nest itself in your hair,
while a curious glow-worm finds
that you are my shelter.
The day that you love me,
there'll be naught but harmony.
Clear will be the dawn,
and happy the spring water.
The breeze will calmy bring
a rumour of a melody,
and the fountains will offer us
their crystal songs.
The day that you love me,
the singing bird
will sweeten it's song.
Life will bloom,
and pain will cease.
The evening that you love me,
from the blue of the sky,
the jealous stars,
will see us pass by.
And a mysterious bolt of light
will nest itself in your hair,
while a curious glow-worm finds
that you are my shelter.
CASTILIAN SPANISH VERSION:
Acaricia mi ensueño
el suave murmullo de tu suspirar.
Como rie la vida
si tus ojos negros me quieren mirar.
Y si es mio el amparo
de tu risa leve
que es como un cantar,
ella aquieta mi herida,
todo todo se olvida.
El día que me quieras
la rosa que engalana,
se vestirá de fiesta
con su mejor color.
Y al viento las campanas
dirán que ya eres mía,
y locas las fontanas
se contaran su amor.
La noche que me quieras
desde el azul del cielo,
las estrellas celosas
nos mirarán pasar.
Y un rayo misterioso
hara nido en tu pelo,
luciernaga curiosa que veras
que eres mi consuelo.
El día que me quieras
no habra más que armonía.
Será clara la aurora
y alegre el manantial.
Traerá quieta la brisa
rumor de melodía.
Y nos daran las fuentes
su canto de cristal.
El día que me quieras
endulzara sus cuerdas
el pajaro cantor.
Florecerá la vida
no existira el dolor
La noche que me quieras
desde el azul del cielo,
las estrellas celosas
nos mirarán pasar.
Y un rayo misterios
hará nido en tu pelo.
Luciernaga curiosa que veras
que eres mi consuelo.