這首歌原本是祕魯的民俗音樂家丹尼爾阿羅密亞斯羅布列斯( 1871~1943 )的作品,1956年首先被艾多阿德法爾以吉他獨奏的方式發表,1965年,歐洲著名的「印加民俗樂團」再度灌錄此曲,恰巧被到巴黎旅行的保羅賽門( Paul Simon )聽到,保羅賽門相當喜歡這首曲子,一時興起填上英文歌詞,回到美國後和搭檔亞特葛芬柯( Art Garfunkel )一同灌錄成唱片,於1970年風行全球,這首曲子因此成為南美洲最具代表性的一首民謠,後來出版的南美洲民謠專輯中,這首歌幾乎不曾被遺漏掉。
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 It's 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