The Mountains of Rolling-Girl Poem by Mário de Andrade

The Mountains of Rolling-Girl
Had not that name before…

They were from the other side,
They rode to town to marry.
And they crossed the mountains,
The bridegroom with the bride,
Each one on a horse.

Both of them were happy,
In the heavens all was peace.
Along the narrow trails
He rode ahead and she behind.
And they laughed. O how they laughed!
They laughed for no reason at all.

The Mountains of Rolling-Girl
Had not that name before.

The red tribes of evening
Rapidly rode away
And hurriedly hid themselves
Down down in the caves,
Afraid of the coming night.

But both of them continued,
Each one on a horse,
And they laughed. O wow hey laughed!

And their laughter married
With laughter of the pebbles
Which leaped so lightly
From the narrow path
Towards the precipice.

Ah, Fortune inviolate!
One hoof has stepped in error.

The bride and her horse vaulted
Headlong down the chasm.
Not even the thud was heard.
There is only the silence of death.
In the heavens all was peace…
Spurring and whipping his horse,
The bridegroom vaulted headlong
Into the void of the chasm.

And the mountains of Rolling-Girl
Rolling-Girl were named.