by Violeta Parra (Chile)
sung by Mercedes Sosa (Argentina) on the album “En Argentina”
GRACIAS A LA VIDA (THANKS TO LIFE)
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me dio dos luceros que cuando los abro
Perfecto distingo lo negro del blanco
Y en el alto cielo su fondo estrellado
Y en las multitudes el hombre que yo amo
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado el oido que en todo su ancho
Graba noche y dia grillos y canarios
Martillos, turbinas, ladridos, chubazcos
Y la voz tan tierna de mi bienamado
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado el sonido y el abecedario
Con el las palabras que pienso y declaro
Madre, amigo, hermonao y luz alumbrando
La ruta del alma del que estoy amando
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado la marcha de mis pies cansados
Con ellos anduve ciudades y charcos
Playas y desiertos, montañas y llanos
Y la casa tuya, tu calle y tu patio
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me dió el corazón que agita su marco
Cuando miro el fruto del cerebro humano
Cuando miro el bueno tan lejos del malo
Cuando miro el fondo de tus ojos claros
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado la risa y me had dado el llanto
Así yo distingo dicha de quebranto
Los dos materiales que forman mi canto
Y el canto de ustedes que es el mismo canto
Y el canto de todos que es mi propio canto
TRANSLATION:
Thanks to life which has given me so much
It has given my eyes which, when open,
Distinguish perfectly between black and white
The starry depths of heaven
And amongst the multitudes, the one I love
Thanks to life which has given me so much
It has given me my ears that in all their breadth
Record night and day, grasshoppers & canaries
Hammers & turbines, barking & raindrops
And the tender voice of my beloved
Thanks to life which has given me so much
It has given me sound and the alphabet
With it the words that I think and say
Mother, friend, brother, and light that illumines
The route of the soul of the one I am loving
Thanks to life which has given me so much
It has given me the walk of my tired feet
With which I have roamed cities and oceans
Beaches and deserts, mountains and plains
To your house, your street and your patio
Thanks to life which has given me so much
It has given me the heart that shakes its frame
When I look at the fruits of the human brain
When I see the good, so distant from the bad
And when I see the depths of your clear eyes
Thanks to life which has given me so much
It has given me laughter and tears
By which I distinguish happiness and grief
The two materials that make my song
And your song, which is the same song
And everyone’s song which is my own song
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