Lyrics of Plegaria a Laroye - Celia Cruz, La Sonora Matancera

Plegaria a Laroye (original)

Bernabé, ven pa' el barranco
Bernabé, ven pa' el barranco
Por culpa de ti Bernabé
Pero la fiesta ya se echó a perder
Tú no quieres bailar, tú no quieres gozar
Ey, deja que los negros bailen al son
Acuérdate bien Bernabé
La fiesta de casa 'e Manuel
Te pusiste a pelear, no quisiste bailar
Y toda la gente se fue del bongó, oye!
Acuérdate bien Bernabé
Tú no bailas la bembé
(Bernabé, ven pa' el barranco)
Bernabé, Bernabé
Vente acá al barranco a gozar
(Bernabé, ven pa' el barranco)
Canto a la raza, raza de bronce
Raza jarocha, que el sol quemó
A los que sufren, a los que loran
A los que esperan, les canto yo
Alma de jarocha que nació morena
Calle que se mueve con vaivén, deja marcas
Tarde perfumada con besos de arena
Tarde que se quejan, paisajes de nácar
Boca donde gime la queja doliente
De toda una raza llena de amarguras
Alma de jarocha que nació valiente
Para sufrir toda desventura

(translation)

Bernabé, come to the ravine
Bernabé, come to the ravine
Because of you Barnabas
But the party is already spoiled
You don't want to dance, you don't want to enjoy
Hey, let the blacks dance to the tune
Remember well Barnabas
The house party 'e Manuel
You started to fight, you didn't want to dance
And all the people left the bongo, hey!
Remember well Barnabas
You don't dance the bembé
(Barnabé, come to the ravine)
Barnabas, Barnabas
Come here to the ravine to enjoy
(Barnabé, come to the ravine)
I sing to the race, race of bronze
Jarocha race, that the sun burned
To those who suffer, to those who cry
To those who wait, I sing
Soul of jarocha who was born brunette
Street that moves with swing, leaves marks
Afternoon perfumed with kisses of sand
Afternoon that complain, mother-of-pearl landscapes
Mouth where the suffering complaint moans
Of a whole race full of bitterness
Soul of jarocha who was born brave
To suffer all misfortune