'Romance Sonámbulo' by Federico García Lorca


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English Translation


Green, how I want you green.
Green wind. Green branches.
The ship out on the sea
and the horse on the mountain.
With the shade around her waist
she dreams on her balcony,
green flesh, her hair green,
with eyes of cold silver.
Green, how I want you green.
Under the gypsy moon,
all things are watching her
and she cannot see them.

Green, how I want you green.
Big hoarfrost stars
come with the fish of shadow
that opens the road of dawn.
The fig tree rubs its wind
with the sandpaper of its branches,
and the forest, cunning cat,
bristles its brittle fibers.
But who will come? And from where?
She is still on her balcony
green flesh, her hair green,
dreaming in the bitter sea.

--My friend, I want to trade
my horse for her house,
my saddle for her mirror,
my knife for her blanket.
My friend, I come bleeding
from the gates of Cabra.
--If it were possible, my boy,
I'd help you fix that trade.
But now I am not I,
nor is my house now my house.
--My friend, I want to die
decently in my bed.
Of iron, if that's possible,
with blankets of fine chambray.
Don't you see the wound I have
from my chest up to my throat?
--Your white shirt has grown
thirsy dark brown roses.
Your blood oozes and flees a
round the corners of your sash.
But now I am not I,
nor is my house now my house.
--Let me climb up, at least,
up to the high balconies;
Let me climb up! Let me,
up to the green balconies.
Railings of the moon
through which the water rumbles.

Now the two friends climb up,
up to the high balconies.
Leaving a trail of blood.
Leaving a trail of teardrops.
Tin bell vines
were trembling on the roofs.
A thousand crystal tambourines
struck at the dawn light.

Green, how I want you green,
green wind, green branches.
The two friends climbed up.
The stiff wind left
in their mouths, a strange taste
of bile, of mint, and of basil
My friend, where is she--tell me--
where is your bitter girl?
How many times she waited for you!
How many times would she wait for you,
cool face, black hair,
on this green balcony!
Over the mouth of the cistern
the gypsy girl was swinging,
green flesh, her hair green,
with eyes of cold silver.
An icicle of moon
holds her up above the water.
The night became intimate
like a little plaza.
Drunken "Guardias Civiles"
were pounding on the door.
Green, how I want you green.
Green wind. Green branches.
The ship out on the sea.
And the horse on the mountain.


Translated by William Logan


Original Spanish

Verde que te quiero verde.
Verde viento. Verdes ramas.
El barco sobre la mar
y el caballo en la montaña.
Con la sombra en la cintura
ella sueña en sus baranda,
verde carne, pelo verde,
con ojos de fría plata.
Verde que te quiero verde.
Bajo la luna gitana,
las cosas la están mirando
y ella no puede mirarlas.

Verde que te quiero verde.
Grandes estrellas de escarcha,
vienen con el pez de sombra
que abre el camino del alba.
La higuera frota su viento
con la lija de sus ramas,
y el monte, gato garduño,
eriza sus pitas agrias.
¿Pero quién vendrá? ¿Y por dónde...?
Ella sigue en su baranda,
verde carne, pelo verde,
soñando en la mar amarga.

Compadre, quiero cambiar
mi caballo por su casa,
mi montura por su espejo,
mi cuchillo por su manta.
Compadre, vengo sangrando,
desde los puertos de Cabra.
Si yo pudiera, mocito,
este trato se cerraba.
Pero yo ya no soy yo,
Ni mi casa es ya mi casa.
Compadre, quiero morir
decentemente en mi cama.
De acero, si puede ser,
con las sábanas de holanda.
¿No ves la herida que tengo
desde el pecho a la garganta?
Trescientas rosas morenas
lleva tu pechera blanca.
Tu sangre rezuma y huele
alrededor de tu faja.
Pero yo ya no soy yo.
Ni mi casa es ya mi casa.
Dejadme subir al menos
hasta las altas barandas,
¡dejadme subir!, dejadme
hasta las verdes barandas.
Barandales de la luna
por donde retumba el agua.

Ya suben los dos compadres
hacia las altas barandas.
Dejando un rastro de sangre.
Dejando un rastro de lágrimas.
Temblaban en los tejados
farolillos de hojalata.
Mil panderos de cristal,
herían la madrugada.

Verde que te quiero verde,
verde viento, verdes ramas.
Los dos compadres subieron.
El largo viento, dejaba
en la boca un raro gusto
de hiel, de menta y de albahaca.
¡Compadre! ¿Dónde está, dime?
¿Dónde está tu niña amarga?
¡Cuántas veces te esperó!
¡Cuántas veces te esperara,
cara fresca, negro pelo,
en esta verde baranda!

Sobre el rostro del aljibe
se mecía la gitana.
Verde carne, pelo verde,
con ojos de fría plata.
Un carábano de luna
la sostiene sobre el agua.
La noche se puso íntima
como una pequeña plaza.
Guardias civiles borrachos
en la puerta golpeaban.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Romance Sonámbulo: An Analysis of Federico García Lorca's Classic Poem

Have you ever fallen into a dream-like state, where the world around you seems to blur and morph into something surreal? Federico García Lorca's "Romance Sonámbulo" transports us to such a world, where the line between reality and imagination is blurred. In this poem, Lorca employs a wide range of literary devices, from metaphor to onomatopoeia, to create a vivid and evocative picture of a sleepwalking man wandering through a nightmarish landscape. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, symbols, and language of "Romance Sonámbulo" in detail, uncovering the hidden meanings and nuances of Lorca's masterpiece.

Background

Before we delve into the poem, it is worth providing some background on Federico García Lorca. He was born in 1898 in the Spanish city of Granada, and grew up in a cultured and artistic family. Lorca was a prolific writer, producing poetry, plays, and essays throughout his short life. He was also an active member of the Spanish avant-garde movement, which sought to break free from traditional literary forms and explore new modes of expression. Lorca's work reflects the influences of this movement, as well as his own unique perspective on the world.

"Romance Sonámbulo" was published in Lorca's 1928 collection "Romancero Gitano" (Gypsy Ballads), which is considered one of his most important works. The collection is a mix of traditional ballads and Lorca's own modernist interpretations, and explores themes of love, death, and freedom. "Romance Sonámbulo" is a standout poem in the collection, and has been widely praised for its innovative use of language and imagery.

Themes

At its core, "Romance Sonámbulo" is a poem about the power of the unconscious mind. The sleepwalking man represents the part of ourselves that is beyond our conscious control - the part that is driven by instinct, desire, and fear. As he moves through the landscape, the man encounters a series of symbolic images that reflect his innermost thoughts and feelings. These images are often dark and unsettling, hinting at the man's fears and anxieties.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of freedom. The sleepwalking man is a wanderer, moving through the landscape without any sense of direction or purpose. He is free from the constraints of society and convention, but also free from the safety and security of the known world. The landscape he encounters is both beautiful and treacherous, with hidden dangers lurking in every shadow. The man's journey represents the struggle for freedom, and the dangers and uncertainties that come with it.

Finally, "Romance Sonámbulo" is a poem about the power of nature. Throughout the poem, Lorca uses vivid descriptions of the natural world to create a sense of awe and wonder. The moon, stars, and wind all play a role in the man's journey, and their presence is felt in every line. Nature is both beautiful and frightening in the poem, with its vastness and unpredictability serving as a reminder of the fragility of human life.

Symbols

To fully appreciate "Romance Sonámbulo," it is important to understand the symbols that Lorca employs throughout the poem. These symbols are often multi-layered, with multiple meanings and interpretations.

One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the moon. The moon is a powerful symbol in many cultures, representing everything from femininity to madness. In "Romance Sonámbulo," the moon is a symbol of the unconscious mind, casting a pale and eerie light over the landscape. The moon is also associated with the idea of freedom, as it shines down on the man as he wanders through the night.

Another important symbol is the guitar. The guitar is a traditional instrument in Spanish culture, and is often associated with passion and romance. In "Romance Sonámbulo," the guitar is a symbol of the man's innermost desires and fears. It is the instrument that he uses to express himself, and it is the instrument that ultimately leads him to his fate.

The landscape that the man encounters is also filled with symbolic imagery. The cypress tree, with its association with death and mourning, is a frequent presence in the poem. The river, with its flowing and ever-changing nature, is a symbol of the man's own journey through life. The wind, which blows through the landscape with a haunting sound, is a symbol of the uncontrollable forces that shape our lives.

Language

Finally, we must examine the language that Lorca uses in "Romance Sonámbulo." His use of language is innovative and evocative, and helps to create the dream-like atmosphere of the poem.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. Lorca repeats phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and coherence. For example, the phrase "verde luna" (green moon) is repeated multiple times in the poem, creating a haunting and mysterious atmosphere.

Lorca also employs a wide range of literary devices throughout the poem. Metaphor, simile, and personification are all used to create vivid and evocative images. For example, the wind is personified as a "bronze butterfly," while the river is compared to a "long tongue" that licks at the night.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Lorca's language is his use of onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sound they describe, and Lorca uses it to great effect in "Romance Sonámbulo." The poem is filled with the sounds of the night - the rustling of leaves, the murmuring of water, the howling of dogs. These sounds help to create a rich and immersive atmosphere, drawing the reader into the dream-like world of the poem.

Conclusion

"Romance Sonámbulo" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, filled with rich symbolism, innovative language, and haunting imagery. It is a poem that invites interpretation and analysis, challenging the reader to uncover its hidden meanings and nuances. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the power of the unconscious mind, the struggle for freedom, and the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world. It is a poem that deserves to be read and re-read, a testament to the enduring power of the written word.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Romance Sonámbulo: A Masterpiece of Surrealism

Federico García Lorca, the Spanish poet and playwright, is widely regarded as one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century. His works, which often explore themes of love, death, and the human condition, are known for their lyrical beauty and emotional depth. Among his most famous poems is "Romance Sonámbulo," a surrealistic masterpiece that has captivated readers for decades.

Written in 1928, "Romance Sonámbulo" is a poem that defies easy interpretation. It is a work of surrealism, a literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century and sought to explore the subconscious mind through art. Surrealism was heavily influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud, who believed that the human psyche was composed of both conscious and unconscious elements. Surrealists sought to tap into the unconscious mind through techniques such as automatic writing and free association, in order to create works of art that were both strange and beautiful.

"Romance Sonámbulo" is a perfect example of surrealism in poetry. The poem is composed of 18 stanzas, each containing four lines. The lines are short and simple, but the imagery is rich and complex. The poem tells the story of a sleepwalking gypsy who wanders through a moonlit landscape, encountering various obstacles and dangers along the way. The gypsy is pursued by a group of horsemen, who are trying to capture him. The poem ends with the gypsy disappearing into the night, leaving behind only his footprints in the sand.

The poem is filled with surrealistic imagery that is both beautiful and unsettling. The moon is described as a "great orange," and the landscape is filled with strange and exotic plants. The gypsy himself is a mysterious figure, with his "green flesh" and "hair of cold silver." The horsemen who pursue him are equally enigmatic, with their "black mantles" and "long swords."

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "verde que te quiero verde" ("green, how I want you green") appears several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. The repetition of this phrase also serves to reinforce the surrealistic nature of the poem, as it is a nonsensical phrase that defies easy interpretation.

Another important element of the poem is its use of symbolism. The gypsy is often seen as a symbol of freedom and rebellion, while the horsemen represent authority and control. The moon, with its orange glow, is a symbol of mystery and the unknown. The landscape, with its strange plants and animals, is a symbol of the subconscious mind.

Overall, "Romance Sonámbulo" is a masterpiece of surrealism that continues to captivate readers today. Its rich imagery, use of repetition, and symbolism all contribute to its dreamlike quality, making it a work of art that is both beautiful and unsettling. García Lorca's poem is a testament to the power of the human imagination, and a reminder that the subconscious mind is a rich source of inspiration for artists of all kinds.

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