Purchase score in this link.
With gratitude to Kate Williams for playing and singing in the recording.
Escribí este himno como el tema de un campamento musical para niños en la villa de Aguilares, El Salvador. Allí fué donde San Oscar Romero tuvo su transformación a optar por los pobres y oprimidos después del asesinato de su amigo, el Padre Rutilio Grande, quien murió por hablar en favor de los oprimidos. El Padre Rutilio era el párroco de Aguilares. El canto se inspira en el salmo 123, uno de los cantos graduales del salterio. Dedico este canto a Neftalí Valiente, por inspirar mi amor por el salterio.
I wrote this hymn to be the theme song for a children’s music day camp at the village of Aguilares, El Salvador. This was where Saint Oscar Romero was transformed into his decision to opt for the poor and the oppressed, after the assassination of his friend, Father Rutilio Grande, who died because he spoke in favor of the oppressed. Padre Grande was the priest at Aguilares. The song is inspired by Psalm 123, one of the songs of ascent in the Psalter. I dedicate this song to my friend Neftalí Valiente, for inspiring me to love the Psalter.
A ti, Señor, a ti, Señor, yo alzo los ojos;
a ti que habitas en los cielos.
A ti, Señor, a ti Señor, yo alzo los ojos.
Ten misericordia de mí.
Como siervos obedientes
buscamos tus caminos,
y con ojos anhelantes
dependemos de tu amor.
Esperamos tu guía
en oración constante;
¡Ten misericordia, Señor! Estribillo
Ante tantos atropellos,
tantos sueños rotos,
volvemos nuestros rostros
hacia ti, oh Salvador.
Nos sostiene en la lucha
tu compasión eterna; ¡Ten misericordia, Señor! Estribillo
(English) Refrain:
I lift my eyes, I lift my eyes to you, Lord and Savior:
to you who are seated in the heavens.
I lift my eyes, I lift my eyes to you, Lord and Savior;
come and show your mercy to me.
Make us faithful as we follow
all of your commandments;
with our longing eyes we seek you
and the love within your Word.
How we long for your guidance,
our prayers forever rising;
in your mercy, save us, O Lord! Refrain
We’ve endured such pain and insult;
so many dreams lie broken.
Yet we turn again to see you,
and we know we’ll be restored.
Your compassion sustains us
with love in times of trouble.
In your mercy, save us, O Lord! Refrain
Carlos Colón 