Gracias a la Vida, Violeta Parra

[Diane]

Tidying up some stuff recently, I came across this translation for Joan Baez's song lyrics, written out in my handwriting line by line as I badgered someone to translate it for me, on a now yellowing piece of paper. Just realised I'd missed out a verse, so will have to track that down and add it in.

Thanks to Life

Thanks to life, that has given me so much
It has given me two stars for eyes and when I open them
I can tell black and white clearly apart
the star-covered depths of the lofty sky
and the man I love among the crowd.

Thanks to life, that has given me so much
It has given me hearing that in all its breadth
records both day and night, crickets and canaries
hammers, turbines, barking, rain
and the sweet voice of my beloved.

Thanks to life, that has given me so much
It has given me sounds, and the alphabet
and with them the words I think and speak
mother, friend, brother and light that brightens
the way of the soul of the one I love.

Thanks to life, that has given me so much
It has given me the step of my tired feet
With them I have walked around cities and puddles
beaches and deserts, mountains and plains
And your house, your street and your courtyard.

Thanks to life, that has given me so much.
It has given me laughter, and tears
so I can tell happiness from grief
the two things my song is made from
And the song of you all, that is my own song.

Thanks to life that has given me so much!

-------------

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.
Me dio dos luceros, y cuando los abro,
Perfecto distingo lo negro del blanco,
Y en el alto cielo su fondo estrellado,
Y en las multitudes al hombre que yo amo.

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.
Me ha dado el oído que, en todo su ancho,
Graba noche y día grillos y canarios
Martillos, turbinas, ladridos, chubascos,
Y la voz tan tierna de mi bien amado.

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto,
Me ha dado el sonido y abecedario.
Con él las palabras que pienso y declaro,
madre, amigo hermano 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 ha dado la risa, me ha dado el llanto.
Así yo distingo dicha de quebranto,
Todos materiales que forman mi canto,
Y el canto de ustedes que es es mismo canto.

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto!

[Sandra]

I hope you may listen that song....it is so beautiful!

[Diane]

Hola Sandra, what a nice surprise to see you here:-)

[Sandra]

gracias Diane...!