Lyrics of Patria (Motherland) - Rubén Blades

Patria (Motherland) (original)

Hace algun tiempo
Me preguntaba un chiquillo
Por el significado
De la palabra patria
Me soprendio con su pregunta
Y con el alma en la garganta
Le dije asi
Flor de barrio, hermanito
Patria, son tantas cosas bellas
Como aquel viejo arbol
Que nos habla y renueva
Como el carino que guardas
Despues de muerta la abuela
Patria son tantas cosas bellas
Son las paredes de un barrio
De su esperanza morena
Es lo que lleva en el alma
Como aquel cuando se aleja
Son los martires que gritan
Bandera, bandera bandera bandera
No memorices lecciones
Dictaduras o encierros
La patria no la defines
Los que suprimen a un pueblo
La patria es un sentimiento
En la mirada de un viejo
Son la entera primavera brisa de hermanita nueva
Te contesto, hermanito, Patria son tantas cosas bellas

(translation)

Some time ago
a little boy asked me
for the meaning
of the word homeland
You surprised me with your question
And with the soul in the throat
I told him so
neighborhood flower, little brother
Homeland, there are so many beautiful things
Like that old tree
That speaks to us and renews
Like the love you keep
After the death of the grandmother
Homeland are so many beautiful things
They are the walls of a neighborhood
Of her dark hope
It is what he carries in his soul
Like the one when he walks away
They are the martyrs who shout
flag, flag flag flag
Don't memorize lessons
Dictatorships or lockdowns
You do not define the homeland
Those who suppress a people
The homeland is a feeling
In the eyes of an old man
They are the whole spring breeze of new little sister
I answer you, little brother, Homeland are so many beautiful things