I’m sad to say I’ve not sung this very much.
I’m sad because I’ve opted for comfort and chosen other hymns for justice-oriented services, in part because I’m not as comfortable singing Spanish as I am other languages, in part because I’ve not had accompanists willing to try it, and in part because – at least in the last congregation I served – the people would barely make an effort and it would be a train wreck.
And that too is sad. I’m sad for my lack of courage, my lack of perseverance. I am sad that I too leaned on comfort in cases like this, not wanting to die on the hill of a hymn that would, I hope, become a favorite. I’m not sure who it is I’m apologizing to, but to whoever needs to hear it, please know that I am sorry. I know there’s no changing the past, but I will try to do better in the future.
I am also sad, because this is actually a beautiful song. written by Rosa Martha Zárate Macias, its minor key sets a tone for truthtelling, its driving melody sets a tone for action. You can hear a traditional version here, and a rocked-out version here.
Refrain:
Profetiza, Pueblo mío, profetiza una vez más.
Que tu voz sea al eco del clamor de los Pueblos en opresión.
Profetiza, Pueblo mío, profetiza una vez más,
anuncíandole a los pobres una nueva sociedad.Profeta te consagro,
no haya duda y temor
en tu andar por la historia;
sé fiel a tu misión.Refrain
Anunciales a los Pueblos,
que se renovara,
el pacto, en la justicia,
la paz florecera.Refrain
Denuncia a quienes causan,
el llanto y la oppression,
la verdad sea tu escudo,
se luz de un nuevo sol.Refrain
Esta sea tu esperanza,
esta sea tu luchar,
construer en la justicia,
la nueva sociedad.Refrain
English translation by Elsie Zala:
Refrain:
Prophesy, oh my people, prophesy one more time.
Let your voice be the echo of the outcries of all oppressed.
Prophesy, oh my people, prophesy one more time.
Announce to them the coming of a new society.I sanctify you, prophet.
Banish all doubt and fear.
Be faithful to your mission;
the quest that leads us on.Refrain
Announce to all the people
that justice promised long,
Restored to every nation:
true peace throughout the world.Refrain
Denounce all who are causing
oppression, sorrow, tears,
Let truth be your protection,
the light of a new sun.Refrain
Let this be what you hope for,
the battle that you choose:
To build a social order
with justice at its core.Refrain
I didn’t find much about the song or songwriter; the UUA Song Information page says only that it was “written in 1975 and first sung at the II National Convention of Spanish Speaking Catholics in Washington, DC.” I found more about the Rosa Martha Zárate at the GIA Publications page, where I learned that she migrated from Mexico to the US in 1968, and much like other notable singing activists, combined music and leadership to champion human rights – in her case, the rights of Latinx immigrants. She often talked about the power of people organizing to help them ” become agents of our own history and our own destiny.”
Amen.
