Yesterday by The Beatles (Camino de Santiago version)
A pilgrim transforms The Beatles' classic into an ode to the Camino de Santiago, capturing the blisters, doubts, and beauty of walking 500 kilometers across Spain.
This morning I was working on my new book, The Long Way West which covers my across-the-land journey from the Pacific ocean to the Atlantic and the Camino de Santiago. I was reminiscing about the adventure and scanning through my notes when I came across something I wanted to share.
About 500km in the hike along the Camino Francis my goto song had become Yesterday by Beatles. It’s one of my all-time favorite song to listen to, and play on the guitar. The words always stir up memories, both good and bad. As I walked, I started to compose my own version. For anyone who has walked the Camino before, this might resonate with you as much as it did for me.
Yesterday (on the Camino).
(sung to the tune of Yesterday, by The Beatles)
Yesterday all my blisters seemed so far away And now it looks like they’re here to stay Oh I believe in yesterday
Suddenly I’m doing half the distance I used to do And now I have a stone in my shoe Oh I believe in yesterday
Why I have to walk the Way I couldn’t say It’s been twen-ty days or so Now all I long for is Santia-go
Yesterday I walked from Hontanas to Carri-on Now it seems all my friends have gone I believe in yesterday
Yesterday the rain began and came in waves I should have stayed in that last albergue I believe in yesterday
Why I have to walk the Way I couldn’t say Its been twen-ty days or so Now all I long for is Santiago
Santiago used to be so far for me Now I’m here I long for the sea In the ocean my feet I’ll wet I’ll sit and watch the su-un set Then I’ll dream of yesterday
Mmm mmm mm mmmmm