Simon and Garfunkel: El Condor Pasa

Let’s practice ‘would’ and ‘could’ with Simon and Garfunkel – with a song based on a traditional folk tune from Peru

Simon and Garfunkel: El Condor Pasa

I’d rather be a sparrow than a snail
Yes I would
If I could, I surely would
I’d rather be a hammer than a nail.
Yes I would
If I only could, I surely would.

Away, I’d rather sail away
Like a swan that’s here and gone
A man gets tied up to the ground
He gives the world
Its saddest sound, its saddest sound

I’d rather be a forest than a street.
Yes I would
If I could, I surely would.
I’d rather feel the earth beneath my feet
Yes I would
If I only could, I surely would

Can you translate the Hungarian sentences into English?

1. Inkább lennék veréb, mint csiga.

2. Inkább lennék kalapács, mint szög.

3. Inkább elhajóznék.

4. Inkább lennék erdő, mint utca.

5. Inkább érezném a földet a lábam alatt.

Key:

1. I’d rather be a sparrow than a snail.

2. I’d rather be a hammer than a nail.

3. I’d rather sail away.

4. I’d rather be a forest than a street.

5. I’d rather feel the earth beneath my feet.