The Arrow

Antonio Machado

Said a popular voice:

“Who can lend me a ladder,
to climb the tree
to remove the nails
to Jesus the Nazarene?”

Oh the arrow, the singing
to the Christ of the gypsies,
always with blood in the hands
always for taking nails off!
Song of the Andalusian people
that every spring
is asking for ladders
to climb up the cross!

Song of my land,
that throws flowers
to the Jesus of agony,
and it’s the faith of my elders!
Oh, you are not my song!
I can’t sing, nor do I want to,
to that Jesus on the wood,
but to the one who walked in the sea!

From: 
La Saeta by Antonio Machado





Last updated November 29, 2022