A true "folk song of the world", lyrics and text by Sebastián Iradier in 1863. Unfortunately, most of the estimated 1500 recordings use sentimental lyrics that have little to do with the original.

A literal translation is not an easy task, since even the native speakers do not agree about the exact meaning. The language is a Basque's impression of a Cuban dialect with typical interjections. Guachinango seems to be a geographical name of various locations, derived from a fish name in Nahuatl language.

Here is my own tentative go, merged from many translations I found on the net:

When I left Havana (help me God!)
nobody saw me leaving, other than myself
and a pretty Guachinangan girl (here I go!)
who went behind me (oh yes, Lord!).

Chorus:
If a dove comes to your window,
treat it with loving, since it's myself.
Tell it about your love, you dear of my life,
crown it with my favourite flowers.

Oh, sweet little girl, yes,
oh give me your love!
Oh, if you could come with me,
sweet little girl, to where I live!

The day we marry (help me God!)
in the week when I must leave,
it will make me laugh when from the church, united,
(oh yes, Lord!) we will go to sleep (here I go!).
(Chorus)

When the little parson pronounces the blessing over us
in the cathedral (here I go!),
I will give you my little hand with much love,
and the parson two squirts (yes, Lord!)
(Chorus)

When time passes (help me God!) after we were married,
We might have (yes, Lord!) at least seven,
(and what an excitement!) or fifteen Guanchinangan kids (here I go!).
(Chorus)