I'm trying to work up a translation of this song, but I'm having difficulties. I found an attempt at a translation here:

https://jewishdutchess.org/blogging-jewish-in-dutchess/only-ask-from-god

I Only Ask of God (Ana Belen)

I only ask of God
Not to become indifferent to pain
I hope that Death, that harpy, will not find me
an empty suit and all alone
without having done the best I could

I only ask of God
Not to become indifferent to injustice
that it will not slap me in the other cheek
after ripping the first away
with this, my luck

I only ask of God
Not to become indifferent to war
For it is a big monster that steps strong
on the sweet innocence
of the common folk

I only ask of God
Not to become indifferent to deceit
If a traitor manage to fool the many
May the many not so easily
forget it

I only ask of God
Not to become indifferent to the future
for it is a tragedy when some must leave
to live their lives in another culture
away from home

I only ask of God
Not to become indifferent to war
For it is a big monster that steps strong
on the sweet innocence
of the common folk

For it is a big monster that steps strong
on the sweet innocence
of the common folk



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In a singable song translation, the language has to be poetic, but not necessarily an exact translation. Rod McKuen did some successful translations of Jacques Brel songs, but he didn't stick very close to the French original.


For a start, I would translate "Sólo le pido a Dios" as "This alone I ask of God."

That "indiferente" gives me trouble. Here's an interesting but inconclusive discussion:
https://spanish.stackexchange.com/questions/23249/how-should-i-understand-que-la-guerra-no-me-sea-indiferente


Here's a live performance by Gieco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=81tXA4BadiU

https://www.riseupandsing.org/songs/solo-le-pido-dios