As I begin my third week in South America, currently in Rio de Janeiro, I wanted to share the lyrics to this regional anthem. I don’t remember a time when I did not know these words. Even while on the plane from the United States to Santiago de Chile, our first stop, this song was the most persistent of my thoughts.
“Canción con todos” was written by Armando Tejada Gómez (lyrics) and César Isella (music), both Argentinean. Arguably the most famous version is the one by Mercedes Sosa, another Argentinean, who was a worldwide ambassador of the region’s New Song and folk music during her 50-year career.
link to Mercedes Sosa singing “Canción con todos” on tour (1980 – skip intro to :29) and another live recording when she was able to sing again in Argentina after its dictatorship (1983 – skip intro to :58)
(rough translation by me to the right)
| Salgo a caminar
Por la cintura cósmica del sur Piso en la región Más vegetal del tiempo y de la luz Siento al caminar Toda la piel de América en mi piel Y anda en mi sangre un río Que libera en mi voz su caudal
Sol de alto Perú Rostro Bolivia, estaño y soledad Un verde Brasil besa a mi Chile, cobre y mineral Subo desde el sur Hacia la entraña América y total Pura raíz de un grito Destinado a crecer Y a estallar.
Todas las voces, todas Todas las manos, todas Toda la sangre puede Ser canción en el viento.
¡Canta conmigo, canta Hermano americano Libera tu esperanza Con un grito en la voz! |
I go for a walk
Down the southern cosmic waist I step on the region’s Vegetation of time and light I feel while walking All of America’s skin on my skin And a river that flows through my blood Liberates its flow in my voice
Sun from the heights of Peru, Bolivia’s face, tin and loneliness A green Brazil kisses my Chile, copper and mineral I rise from the south Towards the full bowels of America Pure roots from a scream Destined to grow And erupt
All voices, all All hands, all All the blood can Be a song in the wind
Sing with me, sing American brother Free your hope With a scream in your voice! |
Loreto Paz Ansaldo 
Beautiful song!