By Daniel Chejfec

Mercedes Sosa was of Native ancestry and was born in poverty in one of the poorest provinces in Argentina. In her early twenties she began to sing...and never stop until last week she passed away at the age of 74. When asked why she chose to sing, she simply answered that she did not choose to sing, but the singing chose her. And she sang, using her angelic voice to bring the prophetic messages of Peace and Justice to people all over Latin America. The lyrics of the song I copied below, were written by Ana Belen, but Mercedes Sosa made it one of her signature songs in almost every concert, and the song itself reflects her outlook on life. See the translation following the original Spanish. My blog today is dedicated to Mercedes Sosa, and I believe the song speaks for itself...Bon Voyage “Negra” (an affectionate nickname she was known by)

 

“Solo Le Pido a Dios”(Ana Belen)

 

Solo le pido a Dios

que el dolor no me sea indiferente

que la reseca muerte no me encuentre

vacia y sola

sin haber hecho lo suficiente 

 

Solo le pido a Dios

que lo injusto no me sea indiferente

que no me abofetee la otra mejilla

despues de que una garra

me arano esta suerte

 

Solo le pido a Dios

que la guerra no me sea indiferente

es un monstruo grande y pisa fuerte

toda la pobre inocencia

de la gente 

 

Solo le pido a Dios

que el engano no me sea indiferente

si un traidor puede mas que unos cuantos

que los cuantos no lo olviden facilmente

 

Solo le pido a Dios

que el futuro no me sea indiferente

deshauciado esta el que tiene que marcharse

a vivir una cultura diferente

 

Solo le pido a Dios

que la guerra no me sea indiferente

es un monstruo grande y pisa fuerte

toda la pobre inocencia

de la gente

 

es un monstruo grande y pisa fuerte

toda la pobre inocencia

de la gente

 

I Only Ask of God (Ana Belen)

 

I only ask of God

Not to become indifferent to pain

I hope that Death, that harpy, will not find me

an empty suit and all alone

without having done the best I could

 

I only ask of God

Not to become indifferent to injustice

that it will not slap me in the other cheek

after ripping the first away

with this, my luck

 

I only ask of God

Not to become indifferent to war

For it is a big monster that steps strong

on the sweet innocence

of the common folk

 

I only ask of God

Not to become indifferent to deceit

If a traitor manage to fool the many

May the many not so easily

forget it

 

I only ask of God

Not to become indifferent to the future

for it is a tragedy when some must leave

to live their lives in another culture

away from home

 

I only ask of God

Not to become indifferent to war

For it is a big monster that steps strong

on the sweet innocence

of the common folk

 

For it is a big monster that steps strong

on the sweet innocence

of the common folk

 

 

if you wish to hear Mercedes Sosa singing this song, go to

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-4wArXkG94