Paroles et traduction Rubén Blades - El Cilindro

El Cilindro

Encontraron el cilindro y a su casa lo llevaron con cuidado,
Como a una bendición. Era Pascuas, y el objeto su regalo,
Y los niños se encantaron con su aparición.
Abrieron el cilindro y se maravillaron cuando vieron dentro
Un mágico color, como una estrella, polvo de cielo, que
Alegraba su miseria con su luz. Sobre sus cuerpos lo restregaron,
Y lo adoraron como si fuera Jesús. Los vecinos se enteraron
Y curiosos visitaron "a la casa en que de noche sale el sol".

El cilindro y la familia fueron la mejor noticia de la Prensa, Radio
Y la Televisión: "Un milagro de Dios?"; "Otro Mago de Oz";
"Regalo de un Platillo Volador?" Aquel cilindro, con el polvo
De cielo que alegraba su miseria con su luz. Sobre sus cuerpos
Lo restregaron, y lo adoraron, como si fuera Jesús.

La luz del cilindro fue menguando y al irse se fué apagando
El amor que lo celebró. Uno por uno fuimos pagando el precio
Cruel de los que basan su felicidad en error.
El gobierno explicó a través de expertos que, "los muertos fueron
Víctimas de radioactividad". Le dieron una multa a un hospital local,
"Por botar substancias tóxicas en un área popular".
No hubo milagro, ni hubo justicia, y esa tragedia no es noticia ya.
Ni aquel cilindro, con el polvo de cielo, que alegraba a la miseria
Con su luz. Ya no es noticia, esa tragedia de la Navidad sin el
Niño Jesús. Nadie se acuerda de la familia que, brillando, murió
En la oscuridad. El hospital pagó su multa, barata le salió la culpa,
Pues la vida de un pobre no vale na'.

The Cylinder

They found the cylinder and carried it home with great care,
As a blessing. It was Easter, and the object was their gift,
And the children were delighted with its appearance.
They opened the cylinder and were amazed when they saw inside
A magical color, like a star, sky dust, which
Brightened their misery with its light. They rubbed it on their bodies,
And worshiped it as if it were Jesus. The neighbors heard about it,
And curious visitors "to the house where the sun rises at night."

The cylinder and the family were the best news in the Press, Radio
And Television: "A Miracle of God?"; "Another Wizard of Oz";
"Gift of a Flying Saucer?" That cylinder, with the dust
Of heaven that brightened their misery with its light. On their bodies
They rubbed it, and worshiped it, as if it were Jesus.

The light of the cylinder was waning and as it left it went out
The love that celebrated it. One by one we were paying the price
Cruel of those who base their happiness on error.
The government explained through experts that, "the dead were
Victims of radioactivity". A local hospital was fined,"
"For dumping toxic substances in a popular area".
There was no miracle, nor was there justice, and that tragedy is no longer news.
Neither that cylinder, with the dust of heaven, that brightened the misery
With its light. It's no longer news, that Christmas tragedy without the
Child Jesus. No one remembers the family that, shining, died
In the dark. The hospital paid its fine, the guilt was cheap,
Since the life of a poor man is worth nothing.