Es Sudamérica Mi Voz

I'm American
and in this land I grew up.
Vibrating in me
are Indian millennia
and centuries of Spanish.
Mestizo heart
beating in its expanse,
hungry for justice, peace, and freedom.
I pour out my words
and the Southern Cross
blesses the song that I sing
like a long popular crucifix.

You don't sing, nor do I
it's South America my voice.
It's my fundamental country
from north to south, from sea to sea.
It's my nation open in a cross,
suffering South America
and this land that was ours
hurts me here, under the skin.

Another emancipation,
I tell you
I tell them we must conquer
and then yes
my continent will cradle
a happiness,
with those small people like you and me
who, when calling a man brother,
know it's true
and it's not about saving oneself
when there are others
who will never be saved.