translation of "la maza"

[raia_b]

can anyone translate this song- "la maza" - to english? Thanks.

[marifen]

LA MAZA-SILVIO RODRÍGUEZ
The mallet

Si no creyera en la locura
If i didn’t believe in the madness
de la garganta del sinsonte
Of the neck of the bird “sinsonte”
si no creyera que en el monte
If i didn’t believe that in the mountain
se esconde el trino y la pavura.
Is hiding the trill and the dread
Si no creyera en la balanza
If i didn’t believe in the scales
en la razón del equilibrio
In the reason of balance
si no creyera en el delirio
If i didn’t believe in the delirium
si no creyera en la esperanza.
If i didn’t believe in the hope
Si no creyera en lo que agencio
If i didn’t believe in what i achieve with skill
si no creyera en mi camino
If i didn’t believe in my road
si no creyera en mi sonido
If i didn’t believe in my sound
si no creyera en mi silencio.
If i didn’t believe in my silence

que cosa fuera
What would be
que cosa fuera la maza sin cantera
What would be the mallet without quarry (to cut out stone)
un amasijo hecho de cuerdas y tendones
A mix made of ropes and tendons
un revoltijo de carne con madera
A mess of flash with wood
un instrumento sin mejores resplandores
An instrument without better gleams
que lucecitas montadas para escena
Than small lights getting on to the scene
que cosa fuera -corazon- que cosa fuera
What would be- my heart- what would be
que cosa fuera la maza sin cantera
What would be the mallet without quarry (to cut out stone)
un testaferro del traidor de los aplausos
A figurehead of the traitor of the applauses
un servidor de pasado en copa nueva
A servant of the past in new cup
un eternizador de dioses del ocaso
A perpetuator of declining goddesses
jubilo hervido con trapo y lentejuela
An exultation boiled with cloth and sequin
que cosa fuera -corazon- que cosa fuera
What would be- my heart- what would be
que cosa fuera la maza sin cantera
What would be the mallet without quarry (to cut out stone)
que cosa fuera -corazon- que cosa fuera
What would be- my heart- what would be
que cosa fuera la maza sin cantera.
What would be the mallet without quarry (to cut out stone)

Si no creyera en lo mas duro
If i didn’t believe in the most cruel
si no creyera en el deseo
If i didn’t believe in the desire
si no creyera en lo que creo
If i didn’t believe in what i believe
si no ceyera en algo puro.
If i didn’t believe in something pure
Si no creyera en cada herida
If i didn’t believe in every wound
si no creyera en la que ronde
If i didn’t believe in what comes around
si no creyera en lo que esconde
If i didn’t believe in what hides behind
hacerse hermano de la vida.
Making oneself brother with life
Si no creyera en quien me escucha
If i didn’t believe in whoever listens to me
si no creyera en lo que duele
If i didn’t believe in what hurts
si no creyera en lo que queda
If i didn’t believe in what stays
si no creyera en lo que lucha.
If i didn’t believe in what fights
Que cosa fuera...
What would be…

[raia_b]

thank you for the quick reply. I must say i donwt really understand that song evan with the translation do you understand what the poet meant

[marifen]

well indeed it's a difficult song- poem
;a maza-the mallet and the cantera- the quarry are two things that cannot exist each one on its one. In order for the mallet to be able to act, it needs a quarry to act upon. it can apply to many, things-pairs, practically to everything
here it means mainly that the author with his mind and ben is in a way the mallet who draws out his songs-experiences from his surroundings and his people's lives-la cantera. He would be nothing without his peoples real identity and beliefs so he keeps believing and searching for that something pure that exists somewhere between his sences and which will lead him to a new hope, a new intention!

[raia_b]

thank you again. I can understand the song better now.

[marifen]

you are welcome!

[Santiago Perez]

I disagree with the above posts on some points, so I figured I'd present my own spin on "La Maza"

As regards the song's meaning, there may be something to the above response, but I think it misses the point a bit. To me this song expresses Silvio's rage at those who won’t fight for what they believe.
It is his scorn at the state of a human being devoid of Will or courage, at those satisfied to applaud tradition and the old regime and stand for injustice in order to further their own contentment. It is not a metaphysical reflection, as the above poster made it seem. It is a revolutionary hymn, an appeal to actual life.
But most of all, it is a call to arms.

Note: I translate "Que cosa fuera" as "What can be said?" because a direct translation does not carry the meaning well.


La Maza
If I did not believe in the madness
from the mockingbird’s throat,
if I did not believe that in the hills
hides the trill and the dread.

If I did not believe in balance,
in the reason for equilibrium.
If I did not believe in delirium,
If I did not believe in hope.

If I did not believe in what I’ve wrought,
If I did not believe in my path,
If I did not believe in my sound,
If I did not believe in my silence.

And what can be said?
What can be said of the mallet without quarry?
Naught but a paste made with strings and tendons,
a jumble of flesh with wood.
A tool with no greater splendour
then that of lights mounted for the stage.
What can be said, oh my love, what can be said?
What can be said of the mallet without quarry?
A mouthpiece for the traitor who applauds,
a servant of the of the past
who is poured in a new cup.
A perpetuator of the gods of the dusk,
a delight served in rags and lentils.
What can be said, oh my love, what can be said?
What can be said of the mallet without quarry?

If I did not believe in that which is hardest,
If I did not believe in desire,
If I did not hold to my beliefs,
If I did not believe in something pure.

If I did not believe in every wound,
If I did not believe in the one that’s coming,
If I did not believe in what is hidden,
by making oneself life’s brother.

If I did not believe in those who hear me,
If I did not believe what hurts,
If I did not believe in what is left,
and is still prepared to fight!
Chorus

[davidcom93]

Hey very good translations, I liked more second one tough just becasue the first one misses the point about revolution. Santiago Im making a new video clip of these song and I like ur translation. Do you mind if I use it for my video clip of "La Maza"