Ave Fénix Lyrics in English by Amaia Montero
Francotirador literally translates to "sniper". It's a striking and somewhat unexpected word to find in a pop song, making it instantly memorable and intriguing.
In the lyrics, Amaia Montero uses it metaphorically: "Si en todos los tejados ves un francotirador" (If on all the rooftops you see a sniper). This imagery evokes a sense of paranoia, constant threat, or feeling targeted, adding a layer of depth to the song's exploration of vulnerability and resilience.
The verses are a list of conditions and none of them are good. «Si en todos los tejados ves un francotirador» (If on every rooftop you see a sniper), «Si hay más luces apagadas que encendidas» (If there are more lights off than on), «Si en la línea de salida ya te sientes perdedor» (If at the starting line you already feel like a loser). Amaia Montero stacks them up for two verses without finishing the sentence, so the listener is left holding the if and waiting for the then.
It arrives in the chorus, and it asks for less than the build-up suggests: «No hacen falta los cuchillos / Basta con el corazón» (Knives aren't needed / Your heart is enough), then «Y hazle caso a tu Ave Fénix / Arde y luego ponte en pie» (And heed your Phoenix / Burn and then stand up). The phoenix is never told to avoid the fire — the burning is part of the instruction. By the last chorus one word has moved: «Basta con decir que no» (Just say no), which turns the advice into something with a date on it.
