Youth Voices: Canciones y Sentimientos
We bustled into the Spanish room chomping on trail mix and plantain chips and expecting another subjunctive lecture. But instead, the professor dimmed the lights and flicked on the projector. You can imagine our surprise when an emotional singer appeared on screen, strumming his guitar and holding back tears while singing his song “El Hubiera No Existe” (“I had” doesn’t exist).
We stopped mid-chew and perked up our ears to find out why he was crying. Some key lyrics:
“Si no hubiera olvidado cuánto es que te amaba” - If I hadn’t forgot how much I loved you
"Pero no, no existe, El hubiera no existe" - But no, it doesn't exist, 'If I had' doesn't exist
“Y aunque me arrepienta, No hay boleto de vuelta” - And even if I regret it, There is no return ticket
By the end, we were all singing our hearts out. Que triste una canción.
The point of this lesson was for us to learn about “el hubiera,” (“if I had”). If only the singer had acted differently, he might still have his lover. But No, No Existee; he can't go back in time and change his ways.
Spanish and wisdom. I have less than two weeks left to live in this beautiful place. I will leave with no regrets, no remorseful singing about what could have been...[CONTINUE READING]