This song uses a very lush harmonic and melodic language that will appeal immediately to singers and audiences of many ages. The poetry, although written for children, has a profound message of universal values—one that will flourish in their lives as something positive for their intellectual and spiritual development.

Composer’s Notes

“El Barquito de Papel”, beautifully written by Adela Anaya, works to recreate with her poetry a brave manifestation in the face of the difficulties of everyday life. Although the story is very simple in its context, the metaphor gives us a profound lesson through a moral “that life is a swollen river which we must overcome!”

– Jesús López Moreno

Text

Salga pronto, mi almirante,
con su gorro de oropel,
la lluvia hizo un río gigante
¡venga a navegar en él!
El arrojo por bandera,
¡leve el ancla sin temor!,
que el río va de acera a acera,
¡pruebe ahora su valor!
Capitán, sea su velero
el primero en avanzar,
marque bien el derrotero,
¡no se debe naufragar!
¡Eso es ser buen navegante,
valeroso timonel!
¡Llevará siempre adelante
su barquito de papel!
Así, firme, decidido,
Buen marino debe ser.
Que la vida es río crecido
¡y la tiene que vencer!

—Adela Anaya

Come out soon, my Admiral,
With your tinsel cap,
The rain has made a great river,
Come sail on it!
Emboldened by the flag,
Raise your anchor without fear!
The river runs from side to side:
Now prove your courage!
Captain, may your sailboat
Be the first to advance,
Mark well your route
For it must not be destroyed!
That is what makes a good navigator,
My Brave Helmsman!
You will always sail forward
In your little paper boat!
Firm and determined
Should a good sailor be.
Life is a cresting river
That must be overcome!