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Transcreating a Spanish hymn

Transcreating a piece from one language to another is not very easy, but it
is a better thing to do than merely translate. The translator is but a
linguist, loyal more to the medium than the message. It is the transcreator
who adopts the spirit of the message, and moulds the new language of
expression around it.

Here's a Spanish hymn, and my attempt at a transcreation here:-

No soy un visionario,
No soy revolucionario.
Pero soy un hombre simple,
que espera un mejor mañana.

Soño esperanza
y canto este himno.

Creo que el sol brillará
y las tinieblas saldrán.
Creo en rosas rojas
y amor y de la paz.

Soño esperanza
y canto este himno.

Creo que los humanos
todos los seres humanos
serán libres un día;
libres, e iguales.

Soño esperanza
y canto este himno.


I am not some big-hat thinker
nor some eternal rebel.
I'm just your regular guy
wanting a better day tomorrow.

I believe there'll be light again
and the clouds will disperse.
There will be red roses and love
and all the happy things of life.

Someday all human beings
All people in all lands
Will be free;
free and happy.

I can only hope in my dreams
and sing this song.

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