Christmas In The Mountains
CHORUS
It is Christmas in the mountains
the air cool and brighter
and the blossoms on the plantains make my sorrows lighter.
THREE KINGS
We are not the three kings but musicians
and the gift we bring is neither gold nor frankincense
but the aguinaldo we sing
and the wine and cake we play for
We know you'll want to share them
In the name of our savior
Born this day in Bethlehem.
CARMEN
What did he say, the santero?
ESMERALDA
It was bad news, then it got worse.
CARMEN
I'm so sorry that I sent you!
What did he say that hurt?
ESMERALDA
Some nonsense about Lazarus
And wandering in the desert.
CARMEN
What now Esmeralda?
What's in store for you?
ESMERALDA
I don't shop in any store
That makes a crazy woman out of you!
NEIGHBOR
Esmeralda, Esmeralda
The new postman is drunk.
This package comes from New York.
It's addressed to you, I think.
From a Reverend Gonzalez.
NEW POSTMAN
I examined it in detail.
NEIGHBOR
Don't you know it's a federal offense to read your neighbor's mail?
ESMERALDA
Ay, Dios mio!
If I weren't scared I'd laugh.
The cape he said was red and black.
The colors of this scarf!
A ticket for New York…
He wants me for his wife!
CARMEN
You cannot live in constant fear.
You have to change your life.
CHORUS
it is christmas in the mountains
the air is cool and brighter
and the blossoms on the plantains
make my sorrows lighter
mmhmm…
ESMERALDA
After Gumercindo left me
So treacherous and handsome
I had no one to protect me
Or look after my small ones.
Then with Reverend Gonzalez
I spoke about my son.
He was going back to America
Said he'd send for us soon.
CARMEN
Don't you fear the santero's prediction?
ESMERALDA
I am not a woman of stone.
A hawk in the sky is crying,
"You were not meant to live alone."
CHORUS
It is Christmas in the mountains
the air cool and brighter
and the blossoms on the plantains make my sorrows lighter.
Mmhmm…
And you may be gone for years.
When you hear the aguinaldo remember Mayagüez.
© 1997 Paul Simon y Derek Walcott(BMI)Discografía - Pagina Principal