Yupanqui was born Héctor Roberto Chavero Haram in Pergamino (Buenos Aires Province), in the Argentine pampas, about 200 kilometers away from Buenos Aires. His family moved to Tucumán when he was ten. In a bow to two legendary Incan kings, he adopted the stage name Atahualpa Yupanqui, which became famous the world over.
In his early years, Yupanqui travelled extensively through the northwest of Argentina and the Altiplano studying the indigenous culture. He also became radicalized and joined the Communist Party of Argentina. In 1931, he took part in the failed uprising of the Kennedy brothers and was forced to seek refuge in Uruguay. He returned to Argentina in 1934.
In 1935, Yupanqui paid his first visit to Buenos Aires; his compositions were growing in popularity, and he was invited to perform on the radio. Shortly thereafter, he made the acquaintance of pianist Antonieta Paula Pepin Fitzpatrick, nicknamed "Nenette", who became his lifelong companion and musical collaborator under the pseudonym "Pablo Del Cerro".
Because of his Communist Party affiliation (which lasted until 1952), his work suffered from censorship during Juan Perón's presidency; he was detained and incarcerated several times. He left for Europe in 1949. Édith Piaf invited him to perform in Paris in June of that year. He subsequently toured extensively throughout Europe.
In 1952, Yupanqui returned to Buenos Aires. He broke with the Communist Party, which made it easier for him to book radio performances.
Recognition of Yupanqui's ethnographic work became widespread during the 1960s, and nueva canción artists such as Mercedes Sosa recorded his compositions and made him popular among the younger musicians, who referred to him as Don Ata.
Yupanqui alternated between houses in Buenos Aires and Cerro Colorado, Córdoba province. During 1963-1964, he toured Colombia, Japan, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, and Italy. In 1967, he toured Spain, and settled in Paris. He returned regularly to Argentina, but these visits became less frequent when the military dictatorship of Jorge Videla came to power in 1976.
Yupanqui died in Nimes, France in 1992 at the age of 84; he was buried in the Cerro Colorado Cementery.
Los Ejes de Mi Carreta
Atahualpa Yupanqui Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me llaman abandona'o
Si a mi me gusta que suenen
¿Pa qué los quiero engrasaos ?
E demasiado aburrido
Seguir y seguir la huella
Demasiado largo el camino
No necesito silencio
Yo no tengo en qué pensar
Tenía, pero hace tiempo
Ahora ya no pienso mas
Los ejes de mi carreta
Nunca los voy a engrasar
Atahualpa Yupanqui's song Los ejes de mi carreta has deep meanings, revolving around the singer's unique way of life. The opening lines of the song establish why people call him 'abandona'o,' yet he doesn't seem to care. He questions why he would need to grease his cart's wheels if he enjoys the sounds. The following lines reveal his aversion to following the crowd, walking in someone else's footsteps, or traveling down a tedious path without anything entertaining.
He claims he doesn't need any quiet or something to ponder since he possessed something but no longer thinks about it. This line is subjective, and the listener is free to interpret it based on their perceptions of the song's theme. The singer is more concerned about living life on his terms than seeking societal approval, as evidenced in the last verse. He insists that he will never grease his cart's wheels or change his ways despite the criticism.
In summary, the song's lyrics are a celebration of individuality, perseverance, and sticking to one's path, even if people criticize it. The use of a slow, steady, and straightforward melody complements the song's themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Porque no engraso los ejes
I don't grease the wheels of my wagon
Me llaman abandona'o
They call me a quitter
Si a mi me gusta que suenen
But I like it when they make noise
¿Pa qué los quiero engrasaos?
Why would I want them greased?
E demasiado aburrido
It's too boring
Seguir y seguir la huella
To follow someone else's footsteps
Demasiado largo el camino
The road is too long
Sin nada que me entretenga
With nothing to keep me busy
No necesito silencio
I don't need silence
Yo no tengo en qué pensar
I have nothing to think about
Tenía, pero hace tiempo
I used to, but not anymore
Ahora ya no pienso mas
Now I don't think anymore
Los ejes de mi carreta
The wheels of my wagon
Nunca los voy a engrasar
I'm never going to grease them
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ATAHUALPA YUPANQUI, ROMILDO RISSO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@martinsibilia4866
Increible como la palabra de un artista reconocido mundialmente (en este caso, Camilo) puede lograr que tanta gente venga a conocer y a valorar a tan grandes artistas casi olvidados y que son la esencia de nuestra tierra y nuestros paises. Estaria bueno que otros tantos famosos artistas imiten ese gesto. Una pena lo de Nicki Nicole, y sobretodo siendo argentina.
@gabrielazyanyasalgadonunez7282
Yo también vine por ese vídeo!
@helenconeo2516
También viene por Camilo ❤
@aleliverdejo8061
Estoy aqui por camilo
@aleliverdejo8061
Wowwwwwww facinanate
@jonathansanjuan79
Camilo culturizando a toda latinoamérica!??
@InviernoTropical
A todos los que vienen por Camilo, bienvenidos al mundo de la música bien hecha y con profundidad.
Si duda un excelente artista que sabe lo que es bueno.
@soniazambrano3147
No la había escuchado hasta que vi un entrevista y Camilo (artista colombiano) la menciono como una canción latinoamericana que lo marcó.
Linda referencia. Hermosa canción.
@solabigail0225
Vine por lo mismo y después de ver qué Nicki elige una de Karol g,hay que sacarle la nacionalidad argentina jajajs
@claudiaerikaduarte4868
Vine por eso, nunca escuché a este gran artista, me encantó, ahora no paro de escucharlo. Tengo 35 años y quedé fascinada con estas poesías !