El arriero
Andres Calamaro Lyrics


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En las arenas bailan los remolinos
El sol juega en el brillo del pedregal
Y prendido a la magia de los caminos
El arriero va, el arriero va

Es bandera de niebla su poncho al viento
Lo saludan las flautas del pajonal
Y guapeando en la senda por esos cerros
El arriero va, el arriero va

Las penas y las vaquitas se van por la misma senda
Las penas y las vaquitas se van por la misma senda
Las penas son de nosotros, las vaquitas son ajenas
Las penas son de nosotros, las vaquitas son ajenas

Un degüeyo de soles muestra la tarde
Se han dormido las luces del pedregal
Y animando a la tropa, dale que dale
El arriero va, el arriero va

Ojalá que la noche traiga recuerdos
Que haga menos pesada la soledad
Como sombra en la sombra por esos cerros
El arriero va, el arriero va

Las penas y las vaquitas se van por la misma senda
Las penas y las vaquitas se van por la misma senda
Las penas son de nosotros, las vaquitas son ajenas
Las penas son de nosotros, las vaquitas son ajenas





Y prendido la magia de los caminos
El arriero va, el arriero va

Overall Meaning

Andrés Calamaro's El Arriero is a song that celebrates the life and work of the arriero, who is the individual who drives cattle across the countryside in Argentina. The song describes the arriero journeying through the mountains of the region on his mule, with only the company of his cattle as he navigates the treacherous and often unpredictable trails through the rugged terrain. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery, describing the arriero as a fearless, free-spirited adventurer who is connected to the natural world around him.


The opening lines of the song "In the sands, the whirling dances; /the sun plays with the shine of the stones/And attached to the magic of the roads, /the arriero goes, the arriero goes" sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The arriero is described as someone who is at one with nature and the environment around him. His poncho billows in the wind, and he is accompanied by the sound of flutes coming from the meadow. The song's chorus emphasizes that the cattle and the arriero all travel the same path, but only the arriero deals with his personal struggles. The final verse describes the arriero continuing onwards in his journey, hoping that the night brings memories to keep him company in his solitude.


Line by Line Meaning

En las arenas bailan los remolinos
The swirling sands dance around in the air.


El sol juega en el brillo del pedregal
The sun shines on the glittering stones of the field.


Y prendido a la magia de los caminos
Captivated by the magic of the roads,


El arriero va, el arriero va
The muleteer goes on his way.


Es bandera de niebla su poncho al viento
His poncho floats like a flag in the foggy wind.


Lo saludan las flautas del pajonal
The reeds in the field greet him with their melodies.


Y guapeando en la senda por esos cerros
With courage on the path through the hills,


El arriero va, el arriero va
The muleteer goes on his way.


Las penas y las vaquitas se van por la misma senda
Sorrows and cows follow the same path.


Las penas son de nosotros, las vaquitas son ajenas
Sorrows are ours, cows are someone else's.


Un degüeyo de soles muestra la tarde
The evening is awash with light from the sun.


Se han dormido las luces del pedregal
The lights of the field have gone to sleep.


Y animando a la tropa, dale que dale
Encouraging his flock, he keeps going and going.


El arriero va, el arriero va
The muleteer goes on his way.


Ojalá que la noche traiga recuerdos
Hopefully, the night will bring memories.


Que haga menos pesada la soledad
Making loneliness a little less burdensome.


Como sombra en la sombra por esos cerros
Like a shadow in the shadows of the hills,


El arriero va, el arriero va
The muleteer goes on his way.


Y prendido la magia de los caminos
And captivated by the magic of the roads,


El arriero va, el arriero va
The muleteer goes on his way.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HECTOR ROBERTO CHAVERO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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