Pena da roca (Pity of the rock)

Lyrics: Leiras Pulpeiro

Adaptation of the lyrics: Carlos and Fran Amil

Music: Fran and Carlos Amil

Manuel Leiras Pulpeiro, born in Mondoñedo (Lugo), is one of the components of the Rexurdimento (Resurgence) and published in 1911 the book “Cantares gallegos”, where he collected popular songs.

Fran offering him the disc in high relief in bronze by Leiras Pulpeiro, the work of Juan Puchades in 1998, located in Praza de San Xoán in Mondoñedo (Lugo).

We made a little potpourri, putting together some of those verses to give shape to “Pena da roca”, which, obviously, doesn’t exist as such, not even in the title. A ballad that claims the honey of another time, today more necessary than ever.

Fran in front of the house where Leiras Pulpeiro lived, on Leiras Pulpeiro street in Mondoñedo (Lugo)

Fran Amil: lead vocals, backing vocals and drums

Paco Cerdeira: electric guitar

Antón Fernández “Torroncho”: bass

Ricardo Casás “Richi”: tenor sax

Fernando Román: bagpipes

Marta Oro Amón: violin and viola

Álex Salgueiro: keyboards

Remember that you can read the lyrics while you listen to the song.

  1. PENA DA ROCA Fran Amil 3:38

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Dan cen voltas as formigasAnts circle a hundred times
para dar co mel na colmea;to find honey in the hive;
pero dou máis eu buscandobut I give more looking
o da boquiña das nenas.the one with the girls mouth.
¡Ai, quen me dera no soutoOh, who would hit me in the bush
que hai xunto da miña casa!What’s near my house!
¡Ai, quen me dera coas nenasOh, who would hit me with the girls
con quenes hai pouco brincaba!with whom I recently played!
Tal a miña pena era,Such was my sorrow,
e tanto e tanto choreiand so much and so much I cried
que a mesma pena da rocathat the same sorrow of the rock
co pranto meu abrandei.With my tears I softened.
Quedéime como o ramalloI stayed like the branch
que deixan soio na fraga;left alone in the forest;
non teño quen me agarimeI have no one to protect me
do sol do vento e da iauga.of the sun, the wind and the water.
Tal a miña pena era,Such was my sorrow,
e tanto e tanto choreiand so much and so much I cried
que a mesma pena da rocathat the same sorrow of the rock
co pranto meu abrandei.With my tears I softened.

If you want to see more lyrics from the album “Popsia Vol. I” click HERE.