La Saeta – Lyrics Meaning in English – India Martínez

“La Saeta” (The Arrow) performed by India Martínez, is a poignant and evocative song that draws from traditional Andalusian themes. The song reflects on the spiritual and cultural significance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, contrasting the traditional image of Jesus on the cross with a more personal and spiritual connection to the figure who walked on the sea. Through its lyrics, the song explores themes of faith, tradition, and personal devotion, capturing the deep emotional resonance of these spiritual reflections.

Singer: India Martínez

¿Quién me presta una escalera
Para subir al madero?
Para quitarle los clavos
A Jesús, el nazareno

Who gonna lend me a ladder 
To climb up the wooden beam? 
To take the nails out
From Jesus, the Nazarene

Oh, la saeta al cantar
Al Cristo de los gitanos
Siempre con sangre en las manos
Siempre por desenclavar

Oh, the song of the arrow
To the Christ of the Gypsies 
Blood on its hands forever
Always to unfasten Him

Cantar del pueblo andaluz
Que todas las primaveras
Anda pidiendo escaleras
Para subir a la cruz

A song from the Andalusian people
That every spring
Keeps asking for ladders
To climb up to the cross

Cantar de la tierra mía
Que echa flores
A Jesús en la agonía
Y es la fe de mis mayores

A song from my land
That offers flowers
To Jesus in His agony
And is the faith of my ancestors

Oh, no eres tú mi cantar
No puedo cantar ni quiero
A ese Jesús del madero
Sino al que anduvo en la mar

Oh, you are not my song
I can’t and don’t want to sing
To that Jesus on the cross
But to the one who walked the sea

Oh, no eres tú mi cantar
No puedo cantar ni quiero
A ese Jesús del madero
(Sino al mar)

Oh, you are not my song
I can’t and don’t want to sing
To that Jesus on the cross
(But to the sea)

Oh, no eres tú mi cantar
No puedo cantar, ni quiero
A ese Jesús del madero
Sino al que anduvo en la mar (Sino al mar)

Oh, you are not my song
I can’t and don’t want to sing
To that Jesus on the cross
But to the one who walked the sea (But to the sea)

¿Quién me presta una escalera
Para subir al madero?
Para quitarle los clavos
A Jesús, el nazareno

Who gonna lend me a ladder
To climb up the wooden beam?
To take the nails out
From Jesus, the Nazarene

Oh, la saeta al cantar
Al Cristo de los gitanos
Siempre con sangre en las manos
Siempre por desenclavar

Oh, the song of the arrow
To the Christ of the Gypsies
Blood on its hands forever
Always to unfasten Him

Cantar del pueblo andaluz
Que todas las primaveras
Anda pidiendo escaleras
Para subir a la cruz

A song from the Andalusian people
That every spring
Keeps asking for ladders
To climb up to the cross

Cantar de la tierra mía
Que echa flores
A Jesús en la agonía
Y es la fe de mis mayores

A song from my land
That offers flowers
To Jesus in His agony
And is the faith of my ancestors

Oh, no eres tú mi cantar
No puedo cantar ni quiero
A ese Jesús del madero
Sino al que anduvo en la mar

Oh, you are not my song
I can’t and don’t want to sing
To that Jesus on the cross
But to the one who walked the sea

Oh, no eres tú mi cantar
No puedo cantar ni quiero
A ese Jesús del madero
(Sino al mar)

Oh, you are not my song
I can’t and don’t want to sing
To that Jesus on the cross
(But to the sea)

Oh, no eres tú mi cantar
No puedo cantar, ni quiero
A ese Jesús del madero
Sino al que anduvo en la mar (Sino al mar)

Oh, you are not my song
I can’t and don’t want to sing
To that Jesus on the cross
But to the one who walked the sea (But to the sea