Epitaph for Isaac Albéniz

Epitafio a Isaac Albéniz

F. García Lorca (1898-1936)

Epitafio a Isaac Albéniz
"Esta piedra que vemos levantada sobre hierbas de muerte y barro oscuro guarda lira de sombra, sol maduro, urna de canto sola y derramada. Desde la sal de Cádiz a Granada, que erige en agua su perpetuo muro, en caballo andaluz de acento duro tu sombra gime por la luz dorada. ¡Oh dulce muerto de pequeña mano! ¡Oh música y bondad entretejida! ¡Oh pupila de azor, corazón sano! Duerme cielo sin fin, nieve tendida. Sueña invierno de lumbre, gris verano. ¡Duerme en olvido de tu vieja vida!"
Epitaph for Isaac Albéniz
This stone we witness standing tall on grass of death and dismal clay guards shadow-lyre and mellow sun, the spilled and lonely urn of song. By streams Granada rears her wall; your shadow moans through gold of day. From salt Cadiz your hoofbeats run, Andalucían, pounding strong. Sweet one, small-handed one, who died! Music and goodness intertwined! The great of heart, the goshawk-eyed! Sleep, skein of snow, sky unconfined, dream, winter-light, dream, summer-grey, sleep as your old life slips away!
Lorca recited his poem at the dedication of a statue of Albéniz in the cemetery of Montjuic, Barcelona, on December 14th, 1935. Guitars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdsze_V8_S0 Spanish words chanted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG_qKmezpUk

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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