Gracias a La Vida

GRACIAS A LA VIDA

Mercedes Sosa

Thanks to life, which has given me so much.

It gave me two beams of light, that when opened,

Can perfectly distinguish black from white

And in the sky above, her starry backdrop,

And from within the multitude

The one that I love.

Thanks to life, which has given me so much.

It gave me an ear that, in all of its width

Records— night and day—crickets and canaries,

Hammers and turbines and bricks and storms,

And the tender voice of my beloved.

Thanks to life, which has given me so much.

It gave me sound and the alphabet.

With them the words that I think and declare:

"Mother," "Friend," "Brother" and the light shining.

The route of the soul from which comes love.

Thanks to life, which has given me so much.

It gave me the ability to walk with my tired feet.

With them I have traversed cities and puddles

Valleys and deserts, mountains and plains.

And your house, your street and your patio.

Thanks to life, which has given me so much.

It gave me a heart, that causes my frame to shudder,

When I see the fruit of the human brain,

When I see good so far from bad,

When I see within the clarity of your eyes...

Thanks to life, which has given me so much.

It gave me laughter and it gave me longing.

With them I distinguish happiness and pain—

The two materials from which my songs are formed,

And your song, as well, which is the same song.

And everyone's song, which is my very song.

Thanks to life

Thanks to life

Thanks to life

Thanks to life