Morente has given solo recitals in all the major Spanish cities, has worked with the Joaquín Cortés troupe, and was featured in the soundtracks for the films Sobreviviré and Buñuel y La mesa del Rey Salomón. She has also won an Ondas prize for the Best Flamenco Creation, and was nominated for a Grammy and two Amigo prizes.
A Pastora
Estrella Morente Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Compañero no regañes,
compañerito tu no regañes (x2).
Cogo yo mi capuchita,
y el campo no tiene llave (x2).
no te metas con mi pare,
mi pare es un pobre viejo
que no se mete con nadie,
mi pare e sun pobre viejo
que no se mete con nadie.
Por Dios llévame de vuelta,
por Dios llévame de vuelta,
dame el paseito que estoy cayéndome del caballo, dame el paseito que estoy medio muerta.
Y a la Alameda,
y a la Alameda,
que viene el guarda,
que viene el guarda con la correa.
The song "A Pastora" by Estrella Morente is a traditional Spanish folk song that tells the story of a woman who is wandering through the countryside with her capuchita, or hooded cape. As she walks, she sings to her compañero, asking him not to scold her. She tells him that she has no key to the fields and must be careful not to anger her pare, or father. She describes her father as a poor old man who keeps to himself and does not bother anyone.
The woman eventually pleads to be taken back home, as she is exhausted and afraid of being caught by the guard with his leash. She asks to be led to the Alameda, a public park in Spain, and begs for a ride as she is falling off her horse.
The lyrics of this song are simple, yet poignant, and speak to the struggles of rural life in Spain. The woman's plea for compassion and understanding from her companions is a common theme in Spanish folk music.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay.
An expression of distress or pain.
Compañero no regañes, compañerito tu no regañes (x2).
Don't scold me, my fellow, don't scold me, my little companion.
Cogo yo mi capuchita, y el campo no tiene llave (x2).
I take my little hood, and the countryside has no lock.
No te metas con mi pare, no te metas con mi pare, mi pare es un pobre viejo que no se mete con nadie, mi pare e sun pobre viejo que no se mete con nadie.
Don't mess with my father, don't mess with my father, my father is a poor old man who doesn't get involved with anyone.
Por Dios llévame de vuelta, por Dios llévame de vuelta, dame el paseito que estoy cayéndome del caballo, dame el paseito que estoy medio muerta.
Please take me back, by God, please take me back, give me the ride because I'm falling off the horse, give me the ride because I'm half-dead.
Y a la Alameda, y a la Alameda, que viene el guarda, que viene el guarda con la correa.
And to the Alameda, and to the Alameda, because the guard is coming, because the guard is coming with the leash.
Contributed by Peyton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.