El Condor Pasa
Los Incas Lyrics
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Yes I would if I could
I surely would
I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
Yes I would if I only could
I surely would
Away, I'd rather sail away
Like a swan that's here and gone
A man gets tied up to the ground
He gives the world its saddest sound
Its saddest sound
I'd rather be a forest than a street
Yes I would if I could
I surely would
I'd rather feel the earth beneath my feet
Yes I would if I only could
I surely would
The lyrics of Los Incas's song "El Condor Pasa" express a strong desire for freedom and connection to nature. The verses highlight the singer's preference to be a bird or an object like a hammer rather than being tied to the Earth like a man. The lines "I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail" and "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail" demonstrate this longing for mobility and the ability to take control of one's surroundings. The verses are juxtaposed with the chorus, which expresses yearning for a more transcendent kind of freedom. The singer wishes to "sail away" like a "swan that's here and gone," seeking a more profound connection with the world than what is available on the ground.
The lyrics continue to contrast the natural and the manmade with the line "I'd rather be a forest than a street." This preference demonstrates the singer's desire to be part of the organic world rather than a human-made environment. The final line, "I'd rather feel the earth beneath my feet," reinforces this theme of connection with nature. The song as a whole is an expression of a longing for freedom, mobility, and a deeper connection with the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail
If given the choice, I would prefer to be a small, quick bird than a slow-moving mollusc.
Yes I would if I could
I strongly desire to be a sparrow, if only it were possible.
I surely would
I am certain that I would choose to be a sparrow over a snail.
I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
If given the choice, I would prefer to be a tool used for construction than the material being constructed.
Yes I would if I only could
I strongly desire to be a hammer, if only it were possible.
I surely would
I am certain that I would choose to be a hammer over a nail.
Away, I'd rather sail away
I wish to leave my current situation and explore the world.
Like a swan that's here and gone
I aspire to move gracefully and with purpose like a swan, appearing and disappearing without a trace.
A man gets tied up to the ground
People can become weighed down by the burdens and responsibilities of life.
He gives the world its saddest sound
These burdens can result in despair and sorrow.
Its saddest sound
The heaviest emotions can produce the most mournful of expressions.
I'd rather be a forest than a street
If given the choice, I would prefer to be a thriving natural environment than a congested urban area.
Yes I would if I could
I strongly desire to be a forest, if only it were possible.
I surely would
I am certain that I would choose to be a forest over a street.
I'd rather feel the earth beneath my feet
If given the choice, I would prefer to walk barefoot on the ground than wear shoes.
Yes I would if I only could
I strongly desire to feel the earth beneath my feet, if only it were possible.
I surely would
I am certain that I would choose to walk barefoot over wearing shoes.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daniel A. Robles, Jorge Milchberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miriamadrianaruizherrera4938
La canción mas bella del mundo, un regalo de Perú para la humanidad!!!
@calligrapherleo1611
Gracias hnos. peruanos. por interpretar y compartir con todo el mundo esta bella y grandiosa melodia inmortal y única. A mi padre le agradaba mucho y la pidió el día de su funeral.
Él se quedó con ganas de conocer el hermoso país de Perú, pues su cultura y su música le parecian únicas.
En México LOS HERMANOS CARRIÓN interpretaron una versión cantada en español la cual siento fue de las mejores quizá por que a mi padre le gustaba mucho ese grupo y oía mucho este tema con ellos. Deseo q no se hayan ofendido udes. con esa versión mexicana...
Saludos de México hasta Perú!
@incachannel
Voy a escuchar esa version. Gracias por el dato
@incachannel
Saludos desde Lima Perú hasta Mexico...con una cultura e historia inmensa.
@user-lo9ox2xd9h
Φοβερη μουσικη ...μελωδια..ουρανια..
@henryquenin6580
This amazing music as well as another incredible tune by Los Incas entitled Huayno De La Roca are some of my favorite memories from the 1960s.
@antoinetteortas3091
Cc sublime, toujours, toujours, siempre, ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@leonciobarrios
Simplemente HERMOSA melodía!
Inmortal como el majestuoso Kuntur.
Un Venezolano agradecido.
@rosacampos3489
Hermosa melodía escuchandola junto a mi madre, saludos al Perú desde Chile
@danielantonioguerreroibarr6695
En cualquier versión, poesía hecha una hermosa melodía, ya la descargué para escuchar la seguido, saludos desde México.