¡Ay, qu? laureles tan verdes! ¡Qu? rosas tan encendidas! Si piensas abandonarme mejor quitame la vida; Alza los ojos a verme Si no estás comprometido. Eres mata de algodón Que vives en el capullo; Ay, qu? tristeza me da Cuando te llenas de orgullo De ver a mi corazón Enredado con el tuyo! Eres rosa de castilla Que sólo en mayo se ve Quisiera hacerte un invite, Pero la verda no s? Si tiene quién te lo evite, Mejor me separar? Por "ai" va la despedida, Chinito por tus quereres La perdición de los hombres Son las benditas mujeres; Y aqu? se acaban cantando Los versos de los laureles. This ranchera is a standard for all mariachis and dates back to the 1920's or 1930's. It is supposed to have been written by Consuelo Velásquez; it was common, especially during the Mexican Revolution in 1910, for women to write songs and include the couplets that men customarily used. This would explain the line, la perdición de los hombres son las maldites mujeres (cursed women), in the original version. L.R. The Laurels written by Jos? López Ay, how green the laurels are! What fiery roses! If you're thinking of leaving me better to take away my life; Lift your eyes to look at me If you are not engaged to be married. You are a sprig of cotton That lives in the bud; Ay, what sadness I feel When you fill yourself with haughtiness Upon seeing my heart Entangled with yours! You are a rose from Castille That can only be seen in May I would like to invite you, But in truth I don't know If there is someone in the way Better that I go away. So goes the farewell Chinito, to your affections The Blessed women Are the ruin of men; And here ends the singing Of the verses of the laurels