Si Alguien Me Dijera – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: José José

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic and emotional journey with José José's heartfelt ballad, "Si Alguien Me Dijera." This song is a masterclass in Spanish romantic expression, allowing learners to grasp advanced vocabulary and emotional nuances. Its clear pronunciation and profound lyrical content, crafted by the legendary Armando Manzanero, make it an exceptional piece for understanding the poetic depth of the Spanish language and the universal themes of love, regret, and the urgency of life. By delving into its verses, you can appreciate the cultural significance of the 'balada romántica' genre and the unparalleled artistry of 'El Príncipe de la Canción'.

[English]

If someone told me

That I have few days left

To live here,

If they assured me

That my days are numbered,

That my paths are coming to an end,

Like when they set a puppy free,

Like a child, like a madman, I’d run around everywhere,

I’d travel all night long,

I’d try some things

I’ve long since lost,

I’d search for the tree

That saw me cry for you as a child,

I’d shed what they call shame,

I’d beg to be taken to you,

And with the conscience my principles lacked,

I’d ask you to come to me,

If someone told me

That I have few days left to live...

If someone told me

That I have few days left

To live here,

If they assured me

That my days are numbered,

That my paths are coming to an end,

Like when they set a puppy free,

Like a child, like a madman, I’d run around everywhere,

I’d travel all night long,

I’d try some things

I’ve long since lost,

I’d search for the tree

That saw me cry for you as a child,

I’d shed what they call shame,

I’d beg to be taken to you,

And with the conscience my principles lacked,

I’d ask you to come to me,

If someone told me

That I have few days left to live.

...

[Spanish]

Si alguién me dijera

Que me quedan pocos días

Por vivir aquí,

Si me aseguraran

Que mis días son contados,

Que se acaban los caminos para mí,

Como cuando sueltan a un cachorro

Como un niño, como un loco correría por ahí,

Una noche entera viajaría,

Probaría algunas cosas

Que hace tiempo me perdí,

Buscaría el árbol

Que me viera cuando niño sollozar por tí,

Me despojaría de lo que llaman verguenza,

Rogaría que me lleven hacia ti,

Y con la conciencia que le faltó a mis principios

Pediría que vinieras junto a mi,

Si alguien me dijera

Que me quedan pocos días por vivir...

Si alguién me dijera

Que me quedan pocos días

Por vivir aquí,

Si me aseguraran

Que mis días son contados,

Que se acaban los caminos para mí,

Como cuando sueltan a un cachorro

Como un niño, como un loco correría por ahí,

Una noche entera viajaría,

Probaría algunas cosas

Que hace tiempo me perdí,

Buscaría el árbol

Que me viera cuando niño sollozar por tí,

Me despojaría de lo que llaman verguenza,

Rogaría que me lleven hacia ti,

Y con la conciencia que le faltó a mis principios

Pediría que vinieras junto a mi,

Si alguién me dijera

Que me quedan pocos días por vivir.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
dijera diˈxeɾa A2	verb - said (subjunctive past tense of decir)
contados konˈtaðos A2	adjective - counted, few
sueltan ˈsweltan A2	verb - release, let go
cachorro kaˈtʃoro A1	noun - puppy
correría koreˈɾia A2	verb - would run
viajaría bjaxaˈɾia A2	verb - would travel
probaría pɾoβaˈɾia A2	verb - would try
árbol ˈaɾβol A1	noun - tree
sollozar soʎoˈθaɾ B1	verb - to sob
despojaría despoxaˈɾia B2	verb - would strip, would rid oneself of
verguenza βeɾˈɣwenθa A2	noun - shame
rogaría roɣaˈɾia B1	verb - would beg
conciencia konˈθjenθja B1	noun - conscience
principios pɾinˈθipjos A2	noun - principles
pediría peðiˈɾia A2	verb - would ask

Key Grammar Structures

• Si alguien me dijera

  ➔ If‑clause with imperfect subjunctive (hypothetical)

  ➔ The verb **"dijera"** is in the imperfect subjunctive, which is required after *si* when the condition is unreal or doubtful in the present/future.

• Que me quedan pocos días por vivir aquí

  ➔ Present indicative + infinitive of purpose (por + infinitive)

  ➔ The phrase **"por vivir"** uses *por* + infinitive to express the purpose or remaining time – “to live”.

• Que se acaban los caminos para mí

  ➔ Reflexive pronoun “se” with verb “acabar” (se acaban = run out)

  ➔ The **"se"** is a reflexive pronoun that turns *acabar* into an intransitive verb meaning “to run out”.

• Como cuando sueltan a un cachorro

  ➔ Temporal clause with “cuando” + present indicative (generic truth)

  ➔ The verb **"sueltan"** is in the present indicative because the clause refers to a habitual or general action: “when they release a puppy”.

• Como un niño, como un loco correría por ahí

  ➔ Simple conditional (condicional simple) for hypothetical action

  ➔ The verb **"correría"** is in the conditional, conveying what the speaker would do if they had only a few days left.

• Buscaría el árbol que me viera cuando niño

  ➔ Conditional + relative clause with past subjunctive (que + imperfect subjunctive)

  ➔ The main verb **"buscaría"** is conditional, while the relative clause uses **"viera"** (imperfect subjunctive) to refer to a hypothetical past vision.

• Rogaría que me lleven hacia ti

  ➔ Verb of request in conditional + subordinate clause with subjunctive (que + present subjunctive)

  ➔ After a verb that expresses desire (**"rogaría"**), the subordinate clause takes the **present subjunctive**: **"lleven"**.

• Pediría que vinieras junto a mí

  ➔ Verb of asking in conditional + subjunctive in the that‑clause (que + imperfect subjunctive)

  ➔ The conditional **"pediría"** triggers the **imperfect subjunctive** **"vinieras"** in the subordinate clause to express a wish that is not guaranteed.