Gracias a La Vida Lyrics

Lyric discussion by midnight_listener 

Cover art for Gracias a La Vida lyrics by Joan Baez

i read in an old folk song book that this song is of protest, saying thank you as an irony. for example, thank you for giving me eyes to allow me to see horrible things. ive asked around but noone seems to think that at all. does anyone know about it being cynical or ironic or protest? thanks.

While it's certainly possible that it's about protest, none of the words reflect that attitude. The only version that I'm familiar with was performed by Mercedes Sosa, a popular artist from Argentina; her rendition is very beautiful, and the way she sings it does not convey any sense of protest. Quite the opposite, in fact. The original songwriter, according to Wikipedia, was Violeta Parra from Chile. She committed suicide due to a breakup with a Gilbert Favre. Given that, it's possible that her perspective was one of irony. Nevertheless, it's a beautiful song if...

the rhythm is dancing, and I see no irony in many thanks to life for "so tender voice of my beloved" ("la voz tan tierna de mi bien amado")

I can see it being sung sarcastically, having read the lyrics, (since I learned it as a little girl who couldn't speak Spanish,) but I don't think it has to be. Personally, I would interpret with both ironic and sincere parts. "thank you for allowing me to see these injustices" may be ironic, while "thank you for allowing me to see/hear/go to the man I love" is sincere. The entire song thanks life for everything, for laughter and tears ("la risa y el llanto") with which she makes her song ("Los dos materiales que forman mi canto"). I think it's...