Qué dolor siento en mi pecho
cuando está de madrugá
el mayoral con su reto
no no? deja descansar
A las cuatro e? la mañana
cuando el sol se va asoma?
el mayoral con su reto
no no? deja descansar
¡Ay! mayoral, ¡ay! mayoral
¡ay! mayoral, ¡ay! mayoral
Saca tu machete Cipriano (saca tu machete)
afila tu lampa José (afila tu lampa)
************
English:
I feel such pain in my chest
when dawn approaches
It's the slave driver, with his threats
He doesn't let us rest.
At four in the morning
when the sun's ready to shine
the slave driver with his scolding
doesn't let us rest.
Oh slave driver! Oh, slave driver!
Oh, slave driver! Oh, slave driver!
Take out your machete, Cipriano
(take out your machete)
Sharpen your shovel, Jose
(sharpen your shovel)
