A Mi Padre

If I have sung in a thousand different voices,
love's concerns, soul's complaints.
If I have trembled before pain, withered brow,
surrendering the heart wrapped in flames.
If I have praised that light you chose
as wife and companion of your love,
how could I forget you, father, if you were
compass and guide of my heart.

With the affection of a good son.
Oh, father! I kneel in your name.
If with a gesture you stole my sleep,
your love gave me everything in affection.
Distant voices, childhood, dear old man!
If yesterday I cornered myself to moan,
man to man, dad, I bless you.
I lost in the world my best friend,
when your chest embraced me to die.

I don't want to touch the sentiment
of those children who abandon their parents.
I just want to sing like the winds,
tell the hearts of those who ignore,
that it's more beautiful to care for a loved one
under the paternal roof in sweet love,
than to return and cry because they're gone,
without our kiss or a withered flower.