I’ve been adapting songs for years and I’ve learned that it flows more efficiently when we have an open mind and make an effort to learn what the author of the original is really trying to convey. There are so many details that need to be taken into consideration, that I’ve delivered entire workshops on this subject. The real term when it comes to songs is adapting it to another language. Translating is but a part of the process. What are some of the logistics behind translating a song, what most important aspects need to be taken into consideration? Of course, I’m aware that this isn’t written in stone, because I have shared with exceptions where you see a “still whisper” manifesting in a Spanish-speaking congregation, and turn around and find an explosive fire-filled expression happen when God touches an English speaking church. Spanish speaking congregations-I was brought up in one-tend to have an outward passion when they express worship, whereas English-speaking congregations in my experience tend to be very inward and reflective in their expression of worship. Now, the expressions of worship among the people may vary. These elements are always present whenever I lead worship, regardless of what region I’m in. I’ve found that the common denominator in true worshipers across the board is love, thankfulness, and hunger for God. What are the differences in leading worship for Spanish speaking congregations and English speaking? What are the similarities? What better way to remind us of this than through worship? But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” We must always take heart and remind ourselves that He has won over it all for us. Usually, when I lead worship in different countries, I like to share my testimony and end with a simple truth from Jesus: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. Of course, it’s not easy healing such deep wounds, many of which were inflicted at a very early age, yet it was my desire to be closer to God to know Him and please Him that gave me the drive to actually go through the rough terrain of restoration. I am a living testimony of the grace of God with which He reached down into my brokenness and rescued me. In a nutshell, I had to face losing my father to alcoholism, being sexually molested as a child, rejections, rebellion, suicidal tendencies, hidden sin and so much more of this world’s gunk. How do you use trials you’ve faced and persevered through to reach out to those you lead in worship? Knowing that I can be particular to regions of the globe with a simple language shift was quite epiphanic. Just to be in the studio recording a song in English, and then some time later doing it in Spanish made me appreciate even more my calling to the nations.
Of course it was double the work than your normal album production involves, but it served to broaden my mental, musical, and spiritual horizons. Everything from adapting songs from one language to another, to tracking in the studio was an amazing process.
Needless to say, singing in both languages feels like second nature for me. I was brought up in an English-Spanish bilingual home, so I learned to be fluent in both languages from the time I started speaking. The whole development of these projects was so thrilling to me.
I am filled with gratitude to God for the strength and favor to be able to sing to Him at the fullest of who I am, a bilingual worshiper. To see it all come to life in this season is, at times, surreal. Releasing a project with both English and Spanish versions-after previously birthing three in Spanish-was a dream of mine from long ago.
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