I know for sure his heart is here with me
Though I wish him back, I know he cannot see
My hands trembling, I know he hears me sing

I light this candle and watch it throw
Tears on my pillow
And if there is a Christ, he'll come tonight
To pray for Spanish eyes
And if I have nothing left to show
Tears on my pillow
What kind of life is this if God exists
Then help me pray for Spanish eyes

He had to fight like all the rest
In the barrio all the streets are paved with fear
I don't understand; at least he was a man

I light this candle and watch it throw
Tears on my pillow
And if there is a Christ, he'll come tonight
To pray for Spanish eyes
And if I have nothing left to show
Tears on my pillow
What kind of life is this if God exists
Then help me pray for Spanish eyes

How many lives will they have to take?
How much heartache?
How many suns will they have to burn?
Spanish eyes
When will they ever learn?

You were not the Maravilla in our minds
We were proud to fight but we cannot win this blind
Stand your guns against the wall
Who's next in line to fall

I light this candle and watch it throw
Tears on my pillow
And if there is a Christ, he'll come tonight
To pray for Spanish eyes
And if I have nothing left to show
Tears on my pillow
What kind of life is this if God exists
Then help me pray for Spanish eyes

How many lives will they have to take?
How much heartache?
How many suns will they have to burn?
Spanish eyes
When will they ever learn?


Lyrics submitted by spliphstar

Spanish Eyes Lyrics as written by Madonna Ciccone Patrick Leonard

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Spanish Eyes song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    This is one of the best moments from the brilliant Like A Prayer album to me! And it's a really sad song indeed. I guess it's about a Spanish guy who was shot by a kind of 'mafia', who commands the 'latino' part of a town where that guy used to live in, after fighting bravely against them. And all the other 'latino' residents of his 'barrio' were surprised with this, since he never was taken as being someone so courageous. By her turn, Madonna is representing a 'latino' girl who knew him and now she is praying for his soul as a devoted Catholic person, despite she never really believed in her own faith until the day that vivid guy died...

    circusjuggleron October 13, 2006   Link

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