Yuyo brujo (1949)

Witch’s Brew [1]
lyrics by Carlos Waiss
music by Héctor Varela & Benjamín García

Girl,
come kiss me here, on the lips,
to wipe away the insults
from your lying mouth.
Tonight I am jealous,
and when I tell you I love you
I feel my heart belongs to you.

Girl,
I never get tired of looking at you
since I can’t find anything
more enchanting than your love.
I really want to pamper you,
I really want to spoil you
as no one ever has before.

Witch’s brew, that’s your kisses,
witch’s brew, that’s your love.

How many times have I dreamt
that you came to me,
and as I dreamt I sensed
your love.

Never tell me that you don’t love me anymore—
one love will not hurt another.
Never say “No!” to me,
I don’t want to lose you
because I’ll die, lovesick
without your love.

Girl,
when I’ve got you on my arm
I don’t care what people think—
I just tremble with excitement.
And even if the prettiest girl goes by,
your cherry-red lips
keep me hypnotized with love. [2]

Girl,
I am suspicious, I am jealous,
I am afraid, so afraid
that you might say “No!” to me…
I don’t know what crazy spell
you put into this witch’s brew
that you poured into my heart.

Orquesta Juan D’Arienzo, singer Armando Laborde (1949)

Orquesta Héctor Varela, singer Armando Laborde  (1951)

[1] The word yuyo literally means “weed” (undesirable plant growth). However, it can also refer to any plant valued for homeopathic healing properties. A more literal translation of yuyo brujo could be “magic herb,” though both that and any title involving the word “weed” might be slightly misleading to a contemporary English-speaking reader.
[2] Or, more literally, “I am like a sleepwalker in love.”

Varela’s version includes the italicized verse. D’Arienzo’s does not.

(Spanish original after the jump)

Yuyo brujo

Nena,
dame un beso aquí­ en los labios,
y que borre aquel agravio
que tu boca me mintió.
Esta noche tengo celos,
y al decirte que te quiero
siento tuyo el corazón.

Nena,
no me canso de mirarte,
si no encuentro en otra parte
más encanto que tu amor.
Tengo ganas de arrullarte,
tengo ganas de mimarte
como nadie te mimó.

Yuyo brujo, de tus besos,
yuyo brujo, de tu amor.

Cuántas veces soñé
que venías a mí,
y al soñar presentí­
tu querer.

Nunca digas que ya no me quieres—
un amor al otro amor no hiere.
No me digas que no,
no te quiero perder
porque muero de amor
sin tu amor…

Nena,
si te llevo a vos del brazo
de la gente ni hago caso
porque tiemblo de emoción.
Y aunque pase la más linda,
por tus labios color guinda
voy sonámbulo de amor.

Nena,
tengo dudas, tengo celos,
tengo miedo, mucho miedo
que me puedas decir no…
yo no sé qué loco embrujo
le pusiste al yuyo brujo
que le diste al corazón.