Victor Jara
Translated by Amanda Rivkin

Here, underneath the earth
you do not sleep brother, companion.
Your heart hears springtime cheers
like fierce breaths of yours going to the winds.
Over there, buried face to sun
the new earth ensconces your seed.
The root of profundity will collapse
and the flower of a new day will be born.
Your broken feet will get there,
and your humbled hands will arrive
scattered, scattered
your death will carry with it many lives,
following after you,
they will march on
in song.

In the place where the criminal is covered
your name is a toast to the rich
many names.
He who burnt your flying wings,
cannot extinguish the fire of the poor.
Here, brother, here above the land
our heart is filled with flags
advancing.
Here brother, here above the land
our heart is filled with flags
advancing
against fear,
advancing.
We will resist, we shall overcome.

I remember you, Amanda
where the street was damp,
running to the factory
where Manuel worked.
A wide smile,
rain in your hair,
nothing ever mattered
when you were about to see him,
him, him, him, him.

In five minutes
life is eternal,
in five minutes.
The siren sounds
for the workers' return
and your gait
illuminates everything
those five minutes
made you bloom.

I remember you, Amanda
where the street was damp,
running to the factory
where Manuel worked.
A wide smile,
rain in your hair
nothing ever mattered
when you were about to see him,
him, him, him, him.

He went for the sierras
he never harmed anyone
he left for the sierras
and in five minutes
he was destroyed.
The siren rang
for the workers' return
many never returned,
neither did Manuel.