Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
If you wish to reprint translations, please use the Reprint Basket (upper right hand corner).
Reminder: You must always use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Del majo que me enamora He aprendido la queja Que una y mil veces suspira Noche tras noche en mi reja: Lindezas, me muero De amor loco y fiero Y quisiera olvidarte Mas quiero y no puedo! Le han dicho que en la Pradera Me han visto con un chispero Desos de malla de seda Y chupa de terciopelo. Majezas, te quiero, No creas que muero De amores perdida Por ese chispero.
Text Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author ( 18th century ) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Fernando J. Obradors (1897 - 1945), "El majo celoso" [ voice and piano ], from Canciones clásicas españolas, vol 1, no. 4 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "The jealous majo", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Ross Klatte
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 72
From the majo who I’m falling for, I’ve learned this complaint. He sighs endlessly Night after night at my fence: “My beauty, I’m dying Of rash and painful love And I’d like to forget you since I want more, and I can’t have it!” Someone has told him that on the Pradera I’ve been seen hanging around with a cad Wearing silk stockings And a velvet coat. Babe, I love you, Don’t believe that I’m dying Because of an old love affair With that peasant.
Translator's notes
Title: The word "majo" (masculine) / "maja" (feminine) described men and women from the lower classes of the pueblo llano section of Madrid (esp. the slums of Lavapies and Maravillas); they became a favorite subject of painters (Goya) and playwrights (Raymond de la Cruz) from 1760-1800. Majos wore exaggerated Spanish costumes (pigtail, hairnet, chupétin or “lollipop” vest, knee breeches or stockings, a broad sash, pointed hat, and a sleeveless cape called the “capote de mangas”). This colorful dress evolved from that appropriate to the popular Santiago del Verde festival on May 1 (attendees were called mayos). Majos and majas were known for outgoing, quarrelsome behavior, supported the arts and militia, and performed as guitarists and dancers.
Line 3: "endlessly" - literally, “from one to a thousand times”.
Line 5: "My beauty" - lindezas is a noun meaning pretty things, or when used ironically, insults (lindeza means prettiness).
Line 9: The San Isidro Park, situated along the Manzanares River in central Madrid, was painted by Goya in 1788 (The Meadow of San Isidro). The park is commonly known as the Pradera de San Isidro.
Line 10: "cad" - chispero refers to a low-class inhabitant of Madrid; a girl calling someone a “chispero” in this context is roughly like using the insulting term “lowlife”, “loser”, or “dude”.
Line 13: "babe" - majezas is a noun meaning attractiveness (majeza means good looks).
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Spanish (Español) to English copyright © 2020 by Laura Stanfield Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Spanish (Español) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist
This text was added to the website: 2020-01-02
Line count: 16
Word count: 85