No abandones tu costura,
muchachita arrabalera,
a la luz de la modesta
lamparita a kerosene...
No la dejés a tu vieja
ni a tu calle, ni al convento,
ni al muchacho sencillote
que suplica tu querer.
Desecha los berretines
y los novios milongueros
que entre rezongos del fuelle
¡te trabajan de chiqué!

No salgas de tu barrio, sé buena muchachita
casate con un hombre que sea como vos
y aún en la miseria sabrás vencer tu pena
y ya llegará un día en que te ayude Dios.

Como vos, yo, muchachita
era linda y era buena,
era humilde y trabajaba
como vos en un taller;
dejé al novio que me amaba
con respeto y con ternura,
por un niño engominado
que me trajo al cabaret;
me enseñó todos sus vicios
pisoteó mis ilusiones
hizo de mí este despojo,
muchachita, ¡que aquí ves!

English translation

Don't abandon your sewing,
you little slum girl,
by the light of the modest
kerosene lamp...
Don't leave it to your old lady
nor to your street, nor to the convent,
nor to the simple boy
who begs for your love.
Throw away the berretines
and the milonguero boyfriends
that between bellows grumblings
work you as a child!

Don't leave your neighborhood, be a good little girl
marry a man who is like you
and even in misery you'll know how to overcome your sorrow
and the day will come when God will help you.

Like you, I, little girl
I was pretty and I was good,
I was humble and worked
like you in a workshop;
I left the boyfriend who loved me
with respect and tenderness,
for a gummed-up boy
who brought me to the cabaret;
he taught me all his vices
he trampled on my illusions
he made of me this spoil,
little girl, that you see here!