It would be fantastic
If I’d been simply wrong
And if the toilet’s been free all along.
If the day were nice and
Things were rightly weighed.
If the piper would not play, though paid.
It would be fantastic
If life were not so tense.
If we were of some use and never just passed by.
If we went through life and not paid compliments
But called things by their name, or at least tried,
And charged in kind and felt that we were treated well,
And laughed until we peed and let our fancies fly.
It would be such a nice thing,
Such a symptom of a world that cares,
If the same ones weren’t always the losers
And if the disenherited got theirs.
It would be fantastic
If the best one would win
And “might makes right” weren’t the only way in.
If heaven on earth would come to
Be right in the neighborhood.
If science worked for the common good.
It would be fantastic
If wealth were not at play.
If all were as it should be and no one marked the pace.
If the time of common sense were here to stay.
If we felt right at home in every place.
If we could get distracted with no risk.
Fantastic if God’s children were the whole human race.
It would be such a nice thing
And such a gesture showing you’re kind,
If we connected, and you let me convince you
And you were just as you’ve been in my mind.
By Joan Manuel Serrat. Translated from Catalan to English
