Gracias a La Vida – Lyrics Meaning in English – Mercedes Sosa

This song is about a woman who is grateful for everything that life has given her. She gives thanks for her feet that have walked and explored new places, eyes to see the world through, and above all, her heart and the love she’s experienced.

Singer: Mercedes Sosa

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

Thanks to the life that has given me so much
It gave me two stars that when I open
I can perfectly distinguish black from white
And in the high sky with its starry background
And in the crowds the man that I love

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado el oído que en todo su ancho
Graba noche y días
Grillos y canarios, martillos, turbinas
Ladridos, chubascos
Y la voz tan tierna de mi bien amado

Thanks to the life that has given me so much
It has given me its ear in all its capacity
It records day and night
Crickets and canaries, hammers, turbines
Barks, rainfall
And the tender voice of my beloved

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, hermano y luz alumbrando
La ruta del alma del que estoy amando

Thanks to the life that has given me so much
It has given me sound and the alphabet
With which I think words and declare them
Mother, friend, brother and shining light
The route of the soul of the one I love

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

Thanks to the life that has given me so much
It has given me the walk of my tired feet
With those I walked cities and puddles
Beaches and deserts, mountains and plains
And your house, your street and your patio

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me dio 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

Thanks to the life that has given me so much
It gave me the heart that shakes its frame
When I look at the fruit of the human brain
When I look at the good so far from the bad
When I look at the depth of your light eyes

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado la risa y me ha 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

Thanks to the life that has given me so much
It has given me laughter and it has given me cries
So I distinguish joy from brokenness
Both are part of my song
And your song is the same song
And everyone’s song is my own song

Gracias a la vida

Thanks to life