10 LYRICS BY LORCA: 4 Withered Orange Tree
Like the previous two poems, 'Canción del Naranjo Seco' was published in Lorca's 1927 collection Canciones (Songs). It is worth noting that the theme of Lorca's late play Yerma (1935) is that of a childless woman desperate to conceive.
Canción del Naranjo Seco Withered Orange Tree
Leñador. Hey, woodchopper,
Córtame la sombre. hack me some shade.
Líbrame del suplicio Cut me loose from the rack
de verme sín toronjas. of seeing me fruitless.
¿ Por qué nací entre espejos ? Why was I born between mirrors?
El día me da vueltas. The daylight spins me
Y la noche me copia and the night multiplies me
en todas sus estrellas. into all her stars.
Quiero vivir sin verme. I'd love to live not seeing me.
Y hormigas y vilanos, And will dream of ants
soñaré que son mis and thistledown as
hojas y mis párajos. my leafy and my birdy.
Leñador. Hey, woodchopper,
Córtame la sombre. hack me some shade.
Líbrame del suplicio Cut me loose from the rack
de verme sín toronjas. of seeing me fruitless.