Mercedes Sosa

Lyrics by Violeta Parra Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto, Me dio dos luceros que cuando los abro, Perfecto distingo lo negro del blanco Y en el alto cielo su fondo estrellado Y en las multitudes el hombre que yo amo. Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto, Me ha dado el sonido y el abecedario, Con las palabras que pienso y declaro: Madre, amigo, hermano y luz alumbrando, La ruta del alma del que estoy amando. Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto, Me ha dado la marcha de mis pies cansados; Con ellos anduve ciudades y charcos, Playas y desiertos, montañas y llanos Y la casa tuya, tu calle y tu patio. Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto, Me dio el corazón que agita su marco, Cuando miro el fruto del cerebro humano; Cuando miro el bueno, tan lejos del malo Cuando miro el fondo de tu ojos claros. Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto, Me ha dado la risa y me ha dado el llanto. Así yo distingo dicha de quebranto Los dos materiales que forman el canto Y el canto de todos que es el mismo canto. Gracias a la vida.

Thanks to life that has given me so much: it gave me two eyes to perfectly see the black from white if I open them well and the high heaven with its starry background and in the multitude the man I love. Thanks to life that has given me so much: it has given me the voice and the alphabet and the words that I think and utter, mother, friend, brother and shining light, the path of the soul with which I love. Thanks to life that has given me so much: it has given marching to my tired feet, with them I walked to cities and puddles, beaches and deserts, mountains and plains and to your house, your street and courtyard. Thanks to life that has given me so much: it has given me the heart which throbbes when I look at the fruits of human mind when I look at the good, so far from evil when I look at the bottom of your eyes. Thanks to life that has given me so much: it has given me laughter and tears, so I distinguish happiness from pain, the two materials shaping the song the song of all which is the same song. Thanks to life.

On Sunday, October 4 died here in Buenos Aires Mercedes Sosa, the great Arrgentine singer or “cantora” as she preferred to call herself. We had already presented a little bit of her special talent in a previous post.

Now, apart from a humble tribute to his memory, I would like to tell you about the enormous impact her funerals had throughout the country. The government declared three days of mourning. Her body was laid in state in the National Congress, and her compatriots waited in endless rows for their turn to say her a final goodbye.

At a time when we Argentines seem to be divided by so many urgent or fictitious issues, it is very comforting to discover that we are united in the love of a great artist and in the appreciation of the memory of a person with firm and consistent ideals.

Much is written these days about Mercedes Sosa. Among so many words, I find particularly moving the letter that the family of Mercedes sent to the press, an accurate description of how many of us feel towards her.

We are the grandchildren, brothers, nephews and son of her who was more to us than just a great and popular artist. We have shared in her life’s private joys and sorrows. Because this great artist was also our grandmother, sister, aunt and mother. That’s why we want to reach you from this intimate place, far from the formality and severity of the official statements: because we know that you have also loved and will love her much more than just a singer and an artist. She has accompanied you so many times and she has become part of your family even without any ties of blood.

It is from this place that we want to tell you that Mercedes – our mother, aunt, grandmother and sister – left this world today. But we also want to tell you that she was always accompanied – even when she was already not aware of it – by the endless attention of friends and great artists, and through each of them, by that of you. And despite the sadness of every agony and of the hard battle she had fought against the menacing death, she spent her last moments in peace.

We are naturally shocked and want to share this sadness with you. Even if at the same time we have the reassurance that everyone – including our beloved “Black” – did their best so that she could stay a little longer with us.

Mercedes was the happiest while singing. And surely she would have liked to sing even in this finale. So that’s how we want to remember her and we invite you to do the same with us.

Thank you so much for your solidarity that we have never ceased to feel.

The family of Mercedes.

And the desire has come true. Her catafalque was encircled by a multitude of visitors singing her songs without cease.