This Is Art: English Interpretation of "Silencio"

Josh and I often have slightly obsessive tendencies when it comes to new favorite things. For example, I am currently on my fifth time in an hour listening to this song by Nelly Furtado and Josh Groban. 

Not only is "Silencio" a stunning example of Spanish music and poetry; it is a beautiful blend of the talents and styles of two very different artists meeting in the enchanting medium of the Spanish language. 

Nelly Furtado is famous in pop circles for using Spanish as a hip and sexy vehicle for dance anthems and hits more commonly found in the club than in the iTunes playlists of nerds like Josh and I . . .  

Josh Groban, on the other hand, sings in Spanish, Italian, French, and other aptly named romance languages in a classical and dramatized manner that emphasizes poetic lyrics and melody more than a catchy beat or breakup angst. Much more popular with nerds :-)

Who would have thought that the infusion of these two styles could create such an emotional, rhythmic, and vocally electrifying piece of art?

To bring my own personal art form of choice into this ever-so-inspiring song (and to get in some Spanish practice) I decided to translate the lyrics into English. I took some poetic license in the sense that I tried to stay as close to the literal Spanish meanings as possible while still creating a lyric that sounded beautiful in English as well.

I hope you enjoy it!


Silence
by Nelly Mendez Furtado and Julio Reyes Lester
(English translation by Jessica Thurston)

Air, wind, and in my soul--
The fire drowns it, and only the cold remains.
Very slowly and without destiny,
I weakly carry the weight of anguish

If you're not here,
There is no way to exist.
I have to wake up.
I have to come alive again.
It's an immense void.
There is no love here anymore.
Maybe I should surrender
And suffer in silence
Silence . . . Silence . . . Silence

Before, the sun was my blessing
Now its rays burn me for no reason

Before, I believed without a doubt in my gut
Now it's as fragile as a wounded animal

If you're not here,
There is no way to exist.
I have to wake up.
I have to come alive again.
It's an immense void.
There is no love here anymore.
Maybe I should surrender
And suffer in silence
Silence

Where the sun doesn't hurt anymore,
My soul goes free.
I'll wait for you,
And it will be until eternity,
My love . . . 

If you're not here,
There is no way to exist.
I have to wake up.
I have to come alive again.
It's an immense void.
There is no love here anymore.
Maybe I should surrender
And suffer in silence . . .
Silence . . . Silence . . . Silence