Lopategi:
All Basques well know
our painful place in things.
Even to sing we often are
taken by fear and shame.
Threats come by the moment,
sounds of bullets daily.
The bertso singer's voice
wants to bring forth hope.
Lasarte:
So many bertso singers, sirs,
appear in our days.
We would want to work
as we always have.
If it is in our power
to bring a touch of humor to this land.
The bertsolaritza can serve
to bring new life to Euskera.
Lopategi:
A bertsolaria who can sing
is for many an amazing thing.
We long to truly fill
our brother's thirst.
Whether it be the cry of full feeling
or good humor's laughter.
As long as the bertsolaria stands up
the Basque Country lives again.
Lasarte:
We wouldn't bring out,
though,
as much as is wanted.
Ai! If God would not turn out the light.
Should it not escape us
we won't send it away.
As long as the bertsolaria sings
the Euskera won't be lost.
Lopategi:
Our boys and girls, however,
are involved in the burruka.
The danger is theirs
and their parents' is anguish.
If the protest of that youth
achieves what is its due,
then we shall have
the true feast of bertso.
Lasarte:
Here we are trying to teach
something to the youth.
Far more do we love
this job than any other.
Deep inside, my heart
is always happy.
The bertsolaritza won't be lost
if new youth arise.
Lopategi:
Let their minds receive
the doctrines of the forefathers.
Let them leave aside
the vices coming from the outside.
Anywhere we have nice speeches,
anywhere we have meetings.
Nothing but his heart can he offer,
the illiterate bertsolaria.
Lasarte:
Unexpectedly so often
sad days turn up
and it grieves us frequently
to reach this stage.
But singers they feel
the youth of the Basque Country.
Great joy is for us also
to leave offspring behind.
