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.

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 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.

Dan cen voltas as formigas	Ants circle a hundred times
para dar co mel na colmea;	to find honey in the hive;
pero dou máis eu buscando	but I give more looking
o da boquiña das nenas.	the one with the girls mouth.
¡Ai, quen me dera no souto	Oh, who would hit me in the bush
que hai xunto da miña casa!	What’s near my house!
¡Ai, quen me dera coas nenas	Oh, 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 chorei	and so much and so much I cried
que a mesma pena da roca	that the same sorrow of the rock
co pranto meu abrandei.	With my tears I softened.
Quedéime como o ramallo	I stayed like the branch
que deixan soio na fraga;	left alone in the forest;
non teño quen me agarime	I 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 chorei	and so much and so much I cried
que a mesma pena da roca	that 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.