Translation of the song Barquito de papel artist Joan Manuel Serrat

Barquito de papel,

Little paper boat,

sin nombre, sin patrón

without name, without captain

y sin bandera,

and without flag,

navegando sin timón

navigating without helm

donde la corriente quiera.

where the current may want.

Aventurero audaz,

Audacious adventurer,

jinete de papel

rider of square

cuadriculado,

paper,

que mi mano sin pasado

that my hand without a past

sentó a lomos de un canal.

felt on the back of a canal.

Cuando el canal era un río,

When the canal was a river,

cuando el estanque era el mar,

when the pond was the sea,

y navegar

and to navigate

era jugar con el viento.

was playing with the wind.

Era una sonrisa a tiempo,

It was a smile on time,

fugándose feliz

running away happy

de país en país,

from country to country,

entre la escuela y mi casa.

between school and my house.

Después el tiempo pasa

Later time passes

y te olvidas de aquel

and thou forgetest of that

barquito de papel.

little paper boat.

Barquito de papel,

Little paper boat,

en qué extraño arenal

on what strange sandy area

habrán varado

will get stranded

tu sonrisa y mi pasado,

thy smile and my past,

vestidos de colegial.

dressed for school.

Cuando el canal era un río,

When the canal was a river,

cuando el estanque era el mar,

when the pond was the sea,

y navegar

and to navigate

era jugar con el viento.

was playing with the wind.

Era una sonrisa a tiempo.

It was a smile on time.