Canción Para La Navidad Lyrics in English by José Luis Perales
Alforja translates to "saddlebag" or "haversack". It's a charmingly specific and somewhat old-fashioned word that you don't encounter in everyday conversation or most pop songs, making it quite unique.
In the context of this Christmas song, it's used when inviting the "caminante sin hogar" (homeless traveler) to come in and "deja tu alforja llenar" (let your saddlebag be filled). This imagery beautifully conveys the spirit of generosity and hospitality during the holiday season, offering comfort and provision to those in need.
José Luis Perales' "Canción Para La Navidad" is a beautiful and thoughtful Christmas song that looks beyond the usual celebrations. It starts with a curious line: "Toda la tierra se alegra y se entristece la mar" (All the land rejoices and the sea becomes sad). This sets the scene for a song that remembers those who might feel lonely or left out during the holidays.
The song speaks directly to different people who are struggling. It calls out to a sailor at sea, telling him to stop his work and pray: "Marinero, marinero, haz en tu barca un altar" (Sailor, sailor, make an altar in your boat). It offers comfort to someone spending the night in a hospital and invites a homeless person in from the cold: "Caminante sin hogar ven a mi casa esta noche" (Homeless traveler, come to my house tonight). It even calls for a soldier to return home to find peace. The song's message is that Christmas is a time for compassion, charity, and thinking of others.
