This is a traditional Catalan song of forbidden love. I learned this from the extremely talented Catalan musical duo Ballaveu, which consists of Xavier Rota Boada and Patri Garcia, whose vocals are also featured on this track.
lyrics
A la ciutat de Lleida
n'hi ha una presó;
de presos mai n'hi manquen,
petita, bonica,
prou n'hi porta el baró,
lireta, liró.
Hi ha trenta-tres presos;
que canten una cançó;
l'han treta i l'ha dictada,
petita, bonica,
el més jove de tots,
lireta, liró.
La nina se'ls escolta
de dalt del mirador;
a cada posadeta,
petita, bonica,
en davalla un graó,
lireta, liró.
Canteu, canteu, bons presos,
D’aquí us en trauré jo,
Aniré a veure el meu pare,
Petita, bonica
Recaptaré el perdó,
Lireta, liró.
Ai pare, lo meu pare,
jo vos demano un do
Ai pare, lo meu pare
Petita bonica
Les claus de la presó
Lireta, liró
Ai pare, lo meu pare
Per treure’m l’amador
Ai filla Margarida
Petita, bonica,
Això no pot ser, no
Lireta, liró
Ai pare, lo meu pare
Pengeu-m’hi a mi i tot
Que diguin ai la trista
Petita bonica
Que ha mort per l’amador
Lireta, liró
credits
from An Nighean Sheunta - The Enchanted Girl,
released October 20, 2023
Katie – vocals
Xavier Rota Boada – vocals
Patri Garcia – vocals
Michael Biggins – piano
Signy Jakobsdottir – percussion
James Lindsay – double bass
Pablo Lafuente – guitar
supported by 9 fans who also own “La Presó De Lleida”
So pleased to see your second album on its way. I’ve just about worn a hole in your first CD because I love it so much. Cannae wait due the whole thing to appear on 4th May. The taster track is AWESOME!! 🙏 floradouglas
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