Mi Amigo Se Fue Del País

This one's dedicated to all the people
Who, like me, have had
To say goodbye to a friend
Hope to see you soon, brother
This is how it goes

Yesterday you were smiling 'cause you were here
Talking about how one day Venezuela would be happy
Today I wake up sad, what's happening to me?
What's happening is that my friend had to leave the country

It saddens me to know why you left
But I can't blame you for doing it
Because I know you left with a lot of pain
Because you wanted a better life

And today I hug you from afar, my dear friend
Send me photos of the places you visit
Never forget that you always have me
Never forget who you cried with or laughed with

My heart feels so small
Because I remember we've been friends since we were little
And here in Venezuela we put so much effort
For a good business, that was always the dream

How are you over there, are you working?
Please send me photos when it's snowing
You have to be strong, my dear brother
Because now they degrade us for being Venezuelans

Things are complicated around here
Everything's getting worse, nothing can be found
Not long ago our neighbor died
Because she couldn't find her medicines

I remember the moments here in Venezuela
Those unique lunches grandma used to make
The Fridays when we were planning where to go out
And now that you're there, I hate going out

I always see your photos and feel like leaving
And you, on the contrary, are dying to come
Because nothing will change this tough feeling of being Venezuelan
This stays inside

We were many and now we're just a few
This situation divided us but it'll be just a moment
Because I have faith that Venezuela will change
And all those who left will come back

Tell me how can you change that special warmth
That only Venezuelan charisma knows how to give
Those Sundays in El Avila, afternoons at the beach
Those parties that end when the last one leaves

I know you can't find a house over there
That sells those empanadas with guasacaca
Because not even the alcohol from my homeland can change
Because there, not even the guarapita tastes the same

And none of us will cry because we're not crybabies
When I can, I'll visit you, when I can on vacation
For now, I just want you to not lose your strength
When you feel like you can't, sit on the bed and pray

What hurts me the most about this, and it's the harsh truth
Is that you didn't leave for pleasure, you left out of necessity
And it bothers me when you say they treat you badly over there
When foreigners living here don't go through the same

We're friends with the Peruvian who sells ice cream
With the Chilean from the kiosk, the Chinese from the supermarket
With the Mexican from the grocery store, the Panamanian from the lottery
And we never denigrate them or say rude things

But don't worry, all of this will pass
I swear on my life that Venezuela will change
Every day of life, every Venezuelan will fight
That gives me faith to know that my friend will return

Do you know why I didn't say goodbye like the others?
Because we're friends and saying goodbye to you NEVER
One day in life, I know I'll see you again
Because we're friends, friends until death, brother

Until death
Let it stay in your mind
Until death
See you soon, brother