It first was a love song from the 15th century, sung in Castilian. It belongs to the traditional songs of Burgos and Cantabria.

A LOS ÁRBOLES ALTOS (Spanish) (Traditional, 15th century) En qué nos parecemos Tú y yo a la nieve Tú en lo blanca y galana Yo en deshacerme. A los árboles altos Los lleva* el viento Y a los enamorados El pensamiento. Corazón que no quiera sufrir dolores, pasa la vida entera libre de amores. Corazones partidos yo no los quiero, y si le doy el mío lo doy entero.

THE TALL TREES You and I are like the snow In the fact that You are white and good looking/well dressed And I, because I melt. The tall trees The wind takes them And to the lovers, The thought/idea/dream [does so]. A heart that doesn't want To suffer pains Passes the whole life Free of loves. Partial/incomplete hearts, I don't want them And if I give mine to her I give it whole.

*alternate word "mueve" (moves)

The Quilapayún version of it is the version María Elena Walsh and Leda Vallaredes recorded in 1958, that is 11 years before the Quilapayún did and they sang the girls’ version that consists in the first two verses only.

Sheet music

Recording by Guillermo García and Ruth Waka -Verses 1 & 2.

Recording by Quilapayún Verses 1 & 2.


Alternate version with the following pattern:

A los árboles altos les lleva el viento
Y a los enamorados el pensamiento,
Ay, vida mía, el pensamiento.

The tall trees, the wind takes them
And to the lovers, the thought/idea/dream [does so]
Ah, my love, the thought/idea/dream

Live rendition by Joaquín Díaz

Live rendition by the Coro Garoé (a choir from Madrid suburbs)


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