Yolanda — By Pablo Milanés Esto no puede ser no más que una canción Quisiera fuera una declaración de amor Romántica sin reparar en formas tales Que ponga un freno a lo que siento ahora a raudales Te amo Te amo (Eternamente te amo) Si me faltaras no voy a morirme Si he de morir quiero que sea contigo Mi soledad se siente acompañada Por eso a veces sé que necesito Tu mano Tu mano (Eternamente tu mano) Cuando te vi sabía que era cierto Este temor de hallarme descubierto Tú me desnudas con siete razones Me abres el pecho siempre que me colmas De amores De amores Eternamente de amores Si alguna vez me siento derrotado Renuncio a ver el sol cada mañana Rezando el credo que me has enseñado Miro a tu cara y digo en la ventana Yolanda Yolanda Eternamente, Yolanda Yolanda Eternamente, Yolanda Eternamente, Yolanda

Yolanda, translated by Oliver Simões, Contributors: S. Rusk, C. Rodríguez and A. Arenas** This cannot be anything more than a song I would like it to be a declaration of love Romantic, not restrained by such forms That might hold back the abundance of what I’m feeling now. I love you I love you (Forever I love you) If you were absent, I would not die If I am to die, I want it to be with you Even in solitude, I feel I am not alone That’s why at times I know I need Your hand Your hand (Forever your hand) Upon seeing you, I was quite sure That I was in fear of being exposed You undress me with conviction And open my heart as you shower me With love With love Forever with love If I ever feel down and defeated I forsake the sunrise every morning Reciting the prayer you have taught me Gazing at you, I say at the window Yolanda Yolanda Forevermore Yolanda Yolanda Forevermore Yolanda Forevermore Yolanda

* Yolanda is a slow love ballad, dedicated to Milanés’ partner at the time, Yolanda Benet, who had just given birth to their daughter Lynn. (Yolanda, Wikipedia, translated and adapted from Spanish). (TN)

Contributors:
** Sally Rusk, Catalina Rodríguez, and Alberto “Tico” Arenas. (Thank you all for your thoughtful feedback and suggestions!)

References:
1. Arias, Pedro Pablo Milanés. Yolanda. Musixmatch. Available at: https://n9.cl/qkufr. Accessed on: 13 nov. 2023.
2. Yolanda (canción). In: Wikipedia. São Francisco, California: Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://n9.cl/qw3xc. Accessed on: 13 nov. 2023.