Funeral drums for the Durango rubble Cesar Vallejo Trans. Bill Hatch

Funeral drums for the Durango rubble
Cesar Vallejo
Trans. Bill Hatch

Father Dust who rises from Spain,
God save you, free you, crown you,
Father Dust, who ascends from the soul.

Father Dust, who rises from the fire,
God save you, trace you, enthrone you.
Father Dust, who is in the heavens.

Father Dust, great-grandson of smoke,
God save you and may you ascend to infinity,
Father Dust, great-grandson of smoke.

Father Dust, in which the just meet their end,
God save you and return to the earth.
Father Dust, in which the just meet their end.
Father Dust, who grows on hands,
God save you and cover bodies,
Father Dust, terror from nowhere.

Father Dust, composed of iron,
God save you and give you the shape of a man,
Father Dust, who marches, burning.

Father Dust, the pariah’s sandal,
God save you and never untie you.

Father Dust, who the barbarians heighten,
God save you and surround you with gods,
Father Dust, who protects the fragments.

Father Dust, shroud of the people,
God save you always from evil.
Our Father, Spanish Dust.

Father Dust, who goes forth into the future,
God save you, guide you and give you wings,
Father Dust, who goes forth into the future.