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Falalalan falalalera
Falalalan falalalalera
falalalan sings the herdsman
Falalalan falalalalera
falalalan sings the herdsman
When I come down
From tending my herd
Everyone calls me
Pedro the betrothed
That’s right I am to marry
My master’s daughter
And here is the little ring
That she gave me.
High up there
In the Roncal Valley
I have my river Esca
And my flints
And my little bag
Made from deerskin
I make my fire
I feel at home there.
When Lent comes
I don’t eat at all
I don’t eat sardines
Or anything salted
What I really want
Isn't what can be made
Fried breadcrumbs
Set my teeth on edge.
English translation by Paul Archer of the text of Falalán falalalera published in the Cancionero de Upsala, 1556. Authorship is uncertain, although it could have been composed by Bartomeu Càrceres (fl. 1546) or Mateo Flecha el Viejo (1481-1553). The Roncal Valley is situated high up in the Pyrenees. The river Esca flows down to the town of Roncal. 'Pedernales' in the second verse below are quartz stones that produce sparks when struck and are used to start fires. 'Migas' in the penultimate line is a traditional dish of bread grated to form breadcrumbs which is often fried with additional ingredients such as bacon or sardines. Popular with shepherds, it was a way of using up stale bread.
Falalán falalalera
Falalalan falalalalera
falalalan de la guarda riera
Falalalan falalalalera
falalalan de la guarda riera.
Quando yo me uengo
De guardar ganado
Todos me lo dizen
Pedro el desposado
A la he si soy
Con la hija de nostramo
Questa sortijuela
Ella me la diera.
Alla rriba rriba
En ual de roncales
Tengo yo mi esca
Y mis pedernales
Y mi çurronçito
De çieruos ceruales
Hago yo mi lumbre
Sientome doquiera.
Viene la quaresma
Yo no como nada
Ni como sardina
Ni cosa salada
De quanto yo quiero
No se haze nada
Migas con azeyte
Hazen me dentera.
Recording. Capilla Virelai (Jordi Reguant).
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ceJVykcO5s
Copyright notice. The translation is provided as an aid to musicians and audiences. Publication of the translation in print or digital formats is expressly forbidden unless permission from the author has been first obtained and acknowledgement of authorship is duly made. Permission will usually be granted so please contact Paul Archer with details of how you wish to make use of the translation.
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