AfroCubism is a collective of Cuban and Malian musicians brought together b… Read Full Bio ↴AfroCubism is a collective of Cuban and Malian musicians brought together by World Circuit Records producer Nick Gold. Gold's original idea in the 1990s was to enlist Cuban musicians, Ry Cooder, Malian ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate, and electric guitarist Djelimady Tounkara. Due to visa snafus, that recording session never happened; the Cubans and Cooder recorded and the end result was the now legendary Buena Vista Social Club album. Though it took over a decade, Gold persisted in pursuit of his concept. He eventually assembled a stellar group of musicians from both countries. AfroCubism is fronted by lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist Eliades Ochoa. His long celebrated Grupo Patria make up the majority of the Cuban players in this large band. The Malians are led by Kouyate and Tounkara, and are joined by vocalist Kassé-Mady Diabaté, balafon maestro Lassana Diabaté, and world-renowned kora player Toumani Diabaté, with Baba Sissoko on talking drum, among others. The group's self-titled album was released in October of 2010, and met with widespread critical acclaim. A European tour followed.

Al Vaiven de Mi Carreta
Afrocubism Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Los gallos están cantando
Compadre, están anunciando
Que ya empieza la jornada bien

Eh, entra el año y sale el año
Trabajo de sol a sol
Y cada día estoy peor
Compadre, que desengaño, bien

Cuando llegaré... cuando llegaré al bohío
Cuando llegaré... cuando llegaré al bohío

Eh, trabajo pa' no sé quien
Que refrán más verdadero
Sudando por un dinero
Que en la mano no se ve, ya ves

Triste vida la del carretero
Que anda por esos cañaverales
Sabiendo que su vida es un destierro
Se alegra con sus cantares

Cuando llegaré... cuando llegaré al bohío
Cuando llegaré... cuando llegaré al bohío

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Afrocubism's song Al Viavén De Mi Carreta describe the hardworking life of a carter in rural Cuba. The song begins with the roosters announcing the start of the day, indicating that the carter must begin his work. The carter expresses his frustration with his life, singing, "Enters the year and exits the year, work from sun to sun, and every day I'm worse off, compadre, what a disappointment."

The carter works hard for his livelihood, but feels unfulfilled and struggles to make ends meet. He realizes that his work is for someone else's benefit and that the money he earns is not enough to sustain him. The line "sudando por un dinero que en la mano no se ve, ya ves" translates to "sweating for money that is not seen in the hand, you see." Still, he continues to work, hoping to one day reach the "bohío," or his home.

The song captures the harsh realities of rural life in Cuba, and the feelings of hopelessness that can come with it. Yet, the carter finds comfort in his singing and continues to look forward to a better future.

Line by Line Meaning

Los gallos están cantando
The roosters are crowing, announcing the start of the day

Compadre, están anunciando
My friend, they are announcing

Que ya empieza la jornada bien
That the workday is beginning well

Eh, entra el año y sale el año
Hey, the year comes in and goes out

Trabajo de sol a sol
Working from sunrise to sunset

Y cada día estoy peor
And every day I feel worse

Compadre, que desengaño, bien
My friend, what a disappointment

Cuando llegaré... cuando llegaré al bohío
When will I arrive... when will I arrive at my hut

Eh, trabajo pa' no sé quien
Hey, working for who knows who

Que refrán más verdadero
What a true saying

Sudando por un dinero
Sweating for some money