Manhattan Transfer - THE QUIETUDE (Encuentro de Animales) lyrics

(English translation of Aymara narration)

In ancient times great fear arose

among the inhabitants of

Tiahuanacu, the Spaniards were

coming into their lands. The Indians

retreated to their houses in great fear

and closed themselves in total

isolation without food or water.

They sat down in great sorrow with

knees bent and heads bowed (they

are called Chullpas) and died.

They were buried in this position.

Others froze to death in a standing

position like stone monoliths

(monolitos). The Indians who live

there today are very poor - no

clothes or food. They seek a better

life and move to the cities where they

learn to read, write and do any kind

of work. They earn money and don't

want to return to their homelands.

Night calls through the air

reaching for its solitude

Dusk lures like a lyre beckoning

the quietude

In state of constant commotion

full of rage and heartless devotion

There's a need that burns within to

fly away, just fly away

Soft winds kiss the land

silent and in gratitude

Children hand in hand

comprehend the quietude

Through a maze of fear

and compulsion

There's a race for the power

and fortune

Still a need within cries out to

fly away, just fly away

People rush, people flee, they

move so fast that they cannot see

Work all day, up all night, they

push and hide all the joy inside

Like a wave that breathes in

the ocean and the mountains

peak with emotion

There's a need that calls within

to find a way, just find a way

Time to leave and fly away,

to take a leave and castaway

To leave the worries and the dismay,

it's time to go,

it's time to play it's...

Time now to fly away,

take leave and castaway

To fly...

The moon it guides my way,

winds blow to show the way

To fly...

Dawn breaks, day descends

With a calming attitude

Shadows fall and bend

Welcome in The Quietude