El Condor PasaI ' d rather be a sparrow than a snail , Yes , I would , If I could , I surely would . . . hmm I ' d rather be a hammer than a nail , Yes , I would , If I only could , I surely would . . . hmm 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 it ' s saddest sound , It ' s saddest sound . . . hmm < instrumental break > I ' d rather be a forest than a street , Yes , I would , If I could , I surely would . . . hmm I ' d rather feel the earth beneath my feet , 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 it ' s saddest sound , It ' s saddest sound . . . < instrumental break > I ' d rather feel the earth beneath my feet , Yes , I would , If I only could , I surely would . . . Yes I would . . .