Oh, the power to be strong
And the wisdom to be wise
All these things will come to you in time
On this journey that you're making
There'll be answers that you'll seek
And it's you who'll climb the mountain
It's you who'll reach the peak
Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be
Though there's no one there to guide you
No one to take your hand
But with faith and understanding
You will journey from boy to man
Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be
In learning you will teach
And in teaching you will learn
You'll find your place beside the
ones you love
Oh, and all the things you dreamed of
The visions that you saw
Well, the time is drawing near now
It's yours to claim in all
Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be
Son of Man,
Son of Man's a man for all to see
En la fuerza está el poder
En el sabio está el saber
Con el tiempo todo llegará
En el día que hoy comienza
Mil repuestas buscarás
Subirás a la montaña
La cima alcanzarás
Hijo de hombre, busca y ve
Que tu alma libre esté
Orgulloso un día estarás
Hijo de hombre, un hombre un día serás
No hay nadie que te guíe
Ni una mano que te den
Mas, con fe y entendimiento
En un hombre te convertirás
Hijo de hombre, busca y ve
Que tu alma libre esté
Orgulloso un día estarás
Hijo de hombre, un hombre un día serás
Aprende a enseñar
Enseñando aprenderás
Tu vida está con quien tú amas más
Hoy todo en lo que sueñas
En tu imaginación
Aquí está ese momento
Realiza tu ilusión
Hijo de hombre, busca y ve
Que tu alma libre esté
Orgulloso un día estarás
Hijo de hombre, un hombre un día serás
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Hombre es, hombre es
Un hombre has logrado ser
Translating is taking the meaning of the original line and turning it into the same meaning in another language.
Adapting is rebuilding the line so it fits the rhythm, the melody, the stressed syllables, and the singing style of the target language, even if the words must change.
A translated line can be correct but unusable. A properly adapted line may not match the original wording but will work as a song
An example using one of the lines from “Son of Man” and "Hijo del Hombre":
English line:
“The power to be strong and the wisdom to be wise.”
If translated literally into Spanish:
“El poder de ser fuerte y la sabiduría de ser sabio.”
The meaning is correct, but as a lyric it’s terrible. This line has too many syllables, the stress pattern is off, and it becomes clunky and heavy to sing. The melody requires a short, rhythmic phrase. A literal version forces the singer to cram long words like “sabiduría” or “sabio” into spots made for shorter English syllables. It also sounds unnatural as a poetic line.
Now compare the adapted Spanish version:
“En la fuerza está el poder, en el sabio está el saber.”
This fits the rhythm, matches the musical stresses, and feels like a natural lyric in Spanish. It keeps the idea of strength and wisdom but uses a structure that flows when sung.
Another example
English:
“Though there’s no one there to guide you.”
Literal Spanish translation:
“Aunque no haya nadie allí para guiarte.”
Again, meaning is correct, but as a lyric, it’s too long and has awkward accents for the melody. The singer would have to stretch the line unnaturally.
Adapted Spanish version:
“No hay nadie que te guíe.” Shorter, cleaner, fits the beat, and preserves the meaning. It’s not word-for-word, but it works as a song.