Geografia
Lluis Llach Lyrics
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i encaro percaço l'anhel
que tenaçment em fuig.
Sempre fidel al mateix gest
que em fa senyal d'un obsessiu camí.
Mai no em voldria esclau.
que m'obliga el batec d'un cor generós.
Ser deutor feliç dels qui em són amics,
que a les seves mans tinc l'únic país meu.
I deutor lleial de la gent d'arreu,
dels qui conec només l'alè fratern.
Així és la geografia del meu cor.
Lliure només em puc donar
i lliure sols puc prendre el que tu em dons.
Mai no em voldria esclau...
Però deutor d'amor ho seré de grat,
que m'obliga el batec d'un cor generós.
Ser deutor feliç dels qui em són amics,
que a les seves mans tinc l'únic país meu.
I deutor lleial de la gent d'arreu,
dels qui conec només l'alè fratern,
així és la geografia del meu cor...
The lyrics to Lluis Llach's song Geografia express a deep desire for freedom from slavery or oppression while also acknowledging the debt of love owed to those who have been generous with their affections. The singer proclaims an unwavering commitment to a specific path, but also emphasizes the importance of being indebted to loved ones, friends, and even strangers who have shown kindness. In this way, he maps out the geography of his heart, recognizing that it is shaped by the people he encounters and the love he gives and receives.
The opening lines of the song, "Mai no em voldria esclau de res / i encara percaço l'anhel / que tenaçment em fuig," which translate to "I never want to be a slave to anything / and yet I grasp at the desire / which stubbornly flees from me," reveal the singer's desire for independence and freedom. He does not want to be beholden to anyone or anything, yet he longs for something that seems just out of his reach.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the debt of love owed to others. The lines "Però deutor d'amor ho seré de grat, / que m'obliga el batec d'un cor generós," which mean "But I will gladly be a debtor of love, / which compels the beating of a generous heart," suggest that the singer recognizes that he cannot exist in a vacuum and that he is indebted to those who have shown him kindness. He is happy to repay that debt by being a loving friend and ally.
Overall, the lyrics to Geografia convey a complex emotional landscape, one that contains both a desire for independence and the recognition that we are all connected and indebted to each other. The geography of the heart is not just the landscape of our innermost feelings, but it is also shaped by the people we encounter along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Mai no em voldria esclau de res
I will never let myself be a slave to anything.
i encaro percaço l'anhel que tenaçment em fuig.
But I still pursue the desire that persistently escapes me.
Sempre fidel al mateix gest que em fa senyal d'un obsessiu camí.
Always faithful to the same gesture that signals an obsessive path.
Però deutor d'amor ho seré de grat, que m'obliga el batec d'un cor generós.
But I will be a grateful debtor of love, forced by the beat of a generous heart.
Ser deutor feliç dels qui em són amics, que a les seves mans tinc l'únic país meu.
To happily owe to those who are my friends, as in their hands lies the only country I have.
I deutor lleial de la gent d'arreu, dels qui conec només l'alè fratern.
And a loyal debtor to people everywhere, those who I only know through a fraternal breath.
Així és la geografia del meu cor.
That is the geography of my heart.
Lliure només em puc donar i lliure sols puc prendre el que tu em dons.
I can only give freely when I am free and can only take what you give me when I am free.
Mai no em voldria esclau...
I will never want to be a slave...
Però deutor d'amor ho seré de grat, que m'obliga el batec d'un cor generós.
But I will be a grateful debtor of love, forced by the beat of a generous heart.
Ser deutor feliç dels qui em són amics, que a les seves mans tinc l'únic país meu.
To happily owe to those who are my friends, as in their hands lies the only country I have.
I deutor lleial de la gent d'arreu, dels qui conec només l'alè fratern, així és la geografia del meu cor...
And a loyal debtor to people everywhere, those who I only know through a fraternal breath. That is the geography of my heart.
Contributed by Ian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.