I'm going through another phase where the only music I can stand is Gotan Project

[sapote]

se sienta a la mesa y escribe
«con este poema no tomarás el poder» dice
«con estos versos no harás la Revolución» dice
«ni con miles de versos harás la Revolución» dice
y más: esos versos no han de servirle para
que peones maestros hacheros vivan mejor
coman mejor o él mismo coma viva mejor
ni para enamorar a una le servirán
no ganará plata con ellos
no entrará al cine gratis con ellos
no le darán ropa por ellos
no conseguirá tabaco o vino por ellos
ni papagayos ni bufandas ni barcos
ni toros ni paraguas conseguirá por ellos
si por ellos fuera la lluvia lo mojará
no alcanzará perdón o gracia por ellos
«con este poema no tomarás el poder» dice
«con estos versos no harás la Revolución» dice
«ni con miles de versos harás la Revolución» dice
se sienta a la mesa y escribe


he sits down at the table and he writes.
"With these verses, you will not seize power," he says.
"With these verses, you will not make revolution," he says.
"With thousands of verses you will not make revolution," he says.

What's more: these verses will not serve him so that
peasants, teachers, loggers live better
eat better, or so that he himself will eat or live better
nor serve him to make anyone fall in love.

he will not gain wealth with them
they will not get him into free movies
they will not clothe him
he will not have tobacco, or wine, through them

nor parrots, nor scarves, nor boats
nor bulls, nor umbrellas, will he get through them
if he goes out into the rain for them, he will get wet.
He will not reach forgiveness or grace through them.

With these poems, I will not take power, he says
With these poems, I will not make the Revolution, he says
not with thousands of verses will I make the Revolution, he says.
He sits down at the table and he writes.

Wikipedia page on Juan Gelman (English)
Some of his poems (Spanish, heads up for some violent content and context)
If your Spanish is better than my Spanish, feel free to beta at me in comments.

Comments

[sapote3.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Gotan Project is up there with Thievery Corporation (which I like way less) as oo-ee background music. This song is also the best. walking music. ever. I have looped it and walked the whole way to work with my right step on the downbeat before. I'm glad you liked it!