El Viento Lyrics in English Manu Chao

Feel the gusts of change! Manu Chao’s “El Viento” paints a vivid picture of life on the move, where wind, hunger, people, luck, and even death drift back and forth across invisible borders. The repeating lines create a hypnotic rhythm that mirrors constant migration: the wind blows in, the wind blows out; the hungry arrive, the men depart. Through this cycle, Manu Chao highlights the uncertainty faced by those forced to travel “por la frontera” and “por la carretera,” suggesting that survival is often left to chance while nations decide who may come and who must go.

At the heart of the song lies a sharp social commentary. Each element—wind, hunger, man, death, luck—feels unstoppable, yet none have a permanent home. This clever parallel hints that political boundaries cannot contain natural forces or human needs. By repeating the question “¿Cuándo volverá?” the singer underlines the anxiety of separation and the hope for return. “El Viento” is therefore both a protest anthem and a poetic reminder that movement is part of the human condition, urging listeners to empathize with those who travel the Babylon road in search of a better tomorrow.