VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, David Gindra, bass, Casey Rafn, piano

Sung in Spanish
Architect of life, architect of himself

So near to my end, I bless you, Life,
because you never gave me false hope,
unjust work or undeserved sorrow;
for I see at the end of my rough road
that I was the architect of my own destiny;
and if I extracted honey or gall from things,
it was because I myself gave them gall or delicious honey:
when I planted rosebushes I always gathered roses.

True, my youthful vigor shall be followed by winter:
but you never said May would be eternal!

I discovered without a doubt the long nights of my sorrows;
for you never promised me only good nights;
and yet I had some that were serenely sacred…

I loved, I was loved, the sun caressed my face.
Life, you owe me nothing! Life, we are at peace!
—Amado Nervo, Translation by Katie Villaseñor