Carta – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Silvana Estrada

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the emotional depth of Silvana Estrada’s music through "Carta," where the Spanish lyrics, even without knowing the language, convey profound feeling through her aching and intense vocals. Learning this song offers an intimate glimpse into the heartfelt storytelling rooted in Latin American folk and jazz traditions that define her unique sound.

[English]

[Music]

I know you’re free, like a test.

I also set it aside until we fine‑tune it.

This forgotten language is enough.

With a glance, I say I love you.

A sigh is enough to decode it.

Maybe that’s why it’s heard, maybe that’s why.

Come back with this new, bearable seriousness.

It scares us, that’s why.

Keeping me alone, yet it is.

When they leave, we turn back.

To step inside.

And perhaps this one stays true.

Also, notice that on one side it’s the opposite.

[Music]

[Music]

I know men can be found.

Just like me, standing beside me, yet named and seen.

To avoid confronting.

I propose a deal because I can’t.

I can’t go on with this constant effort.

Today I try to return, stealing a glance at all this.

Turning stone into a gamble with the sky.

Openly rebuilding our idea of evil.

Inventing time again, putting down

the weapons for peaceful movement.

Take a step.

[Music]

And I’m going to do what’s right for me.

It also gives me a century.

It doesn’t run backwards; fear won’t.

Let’s value things, not just run away.

May that be enough for you.

I’m also giving up, and the river won’t flow.

It was seen that fear can’t hold us any longer,

and we can appreciate the best.

[Music]

No.

[Music]

Alright.

[Spanish]

[Música]

yo sé que eres libre de test como

también descartó hasta que afinemos que

esto se olviden de lenguaje que baste

con la mirada para decir que te quiero

que baste con suspiros para descifrar

dos quizás por eso sea escuchada por eso

regresa por la nueva seriedad soportable

es que nos aterra por eso este

mantenerle conmigo la soledad pero es

que cuando nos van nos volteamos a

entrar

y puede que esta sea fiel

también mire que por una parte al revés

[Música]

[Música]

yo sé que se encuentran los hombres

igual a mi lado pero nombrado que vistos

para no afrontar

que yo te propongo un trato porque ya no

puedo más con este constante intento de

hoy para regresar robo mirando de esto y

hacer de las piedras jugarnos a cielo

abierto rehacer nuestra idea del mal

volver a inventar el tiempo dejar las

armas en paz percentil movimiento

paso

[Música]

y voy a de que se hace bien de mí

también me da por no un siglo

no corre al revés que el miedo nos

jueguen a valorar no sólo no me voy a

que eso sea cien de ti yo también me da

por vencido y el río no correr y bueno

de que se vio que el miedo no nos puede

más y valorar las mejores

[Música]

no

[Música]

bien

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
libre ˈli.βɾe A2	adjective - having the power of self-determination
descartó des.kar.ˈto B1	verb - to reject or dismiss something as invalid or useless
olviden ol.ˈbi.ðen A2	verb - to forget something
lenguaje len.ˈɣwa.xe A1	noun - a system of communication using words
suspiros sus.ˈpi.ɾos A2	noun - a deep, audible breath, often expressing emotion
descifrar des.thi.ˈfɾar B1	verb - to interpret or understand something difficult or complex
aterra a.ˈte.ra B2	verb - to cause fear or terror
soledad so.le.ˈðað A2	noun - the state of being alone or isolated
propongo pɾo.ˈpon.ɡo A2	verb - to suggest or present an idea or plan
constante kons.ˈtan.te A2	adjective - not changing or continuously occurring
rehacer re.a.ˈθer B1	verb - to do something again or repair it
inventar in.ben.ˈtar A2	verb - to create or devise something new
dejar de.ˈxaɾ A1	verb - to allow something to remain or permit something
valorar ba.lo.ˈɾar B1	verb - to appreciate or estimate the value of something
vencido ben.ˈthi.ðo A2	adjective - defeated or overcome

Key Grammar Structures

• yo sé que eres libre de test como también descartó hasta que afinemos que

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood

  ➔ The subjunctive mood is used in 'afinemos' to express a wish or uncertainty.

• que baste con la mirada para decir que te quiero

  ➔ Subjunctive in Purpose Clauses

  ➔ 'Baste' is in the subjunctive to express a purpose or result.

• dos quizás por eso sea escuchada por eso regresa

  ➔ Present Subjunctive

  ➔ 'Sea escuchada' and 'regresa' use the present subjunctive to express uncertainty or emotion.

• yo te propongo un trato porque ya no puedo más

  ➔ Present Indicative in Main Clause

  ➔ 'Propongo' and 'puedo' are in the present indicative to state facts or current actions.

• rehacer nuestra idea del mal volver a inventar el tiempo

  ➔ Infinitive after Verb

  ➔ 'Rehacer' and 'inventar' are infinitives used after verbs to express actions.

• dejar las armas en paz percentil movimiento paso

  ➔ Infinitive as Command

  ➔ 'Dejar' is used as a command in the infinitive form.