House Of Valparaiso
Calexico Lyrics


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Dialing in a forgotten voice
(coming in like waves rolling off the coast)
Sweeping through illegal ports
(rising from the depths falling off the tongue)
Ships drifting out of tune
(coming in like waves rolling off the coast)

Many, many more, sculpting the shoreline
Etching the harbor and the people
Who've stayed afloat

(coming in like waves rolling off the coast)
Dialing in a forgotten voice
(rising from the depths falling off the tongue)
Sweeping through illegal ports
(coming in like waves rolling off the coast)
Ships drifting out of tune
(can't stop the waves coming like a ghost)

Is that your shape in the foam of the sea
After all these years coming home to me

La Chascona (hearts to ocean) vows unbroken
Lying in the bath fully clothed
Ready for the ocean's wake
The tears won't wash away
What her eyes can't erase

Not safe to say in her native tongue
A radio voice drowning out
The general's song lingering on




A raft made of books from a driftwood house
Returns to the waves

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of House of Valparaiso by Calexico indicate a sense of nostalgia and longing, with references to forgotten voices, illegal ports, and ships drifting out of tune. The song captures the essence of the beautiful seaport city of Valparaiso in Chile, which has been shaped and sculpted by the waves of the Pacific Ocean. The lyrics paint a picture of the harbor and the people who have stayed afloat through the port's many changes.


The song's main theme is the ocean's transformative power and how it connects people separated by distance and time. The singer questions if a forgotten voice he hears on the radio is someone he knows, and if the shape in the sea's foam is a long-lost love returning home. The line "La Chascona (hearts to ocean) vows unbroken" is a reference to the home of famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who had a house in Valparaiso named La Chascona.


The lyrics describe how the ocean's waves can soothe and heal, but they can't wash away the pain and sorrow that haunt us. The last stanza of the song refers to a raft made of books from a driftwood house returning to the waves, symbolizing the way past traditions and stories become a part of the sea's mythology.


Line by Line Meaning

Dialing in a forgotten voice
Recalling a voice that has been ignored, overlooked, or silenced


(coming in like waves rolling off the coast)
Bringing back memories all at once, like waves hitting the shore


Sweeping through illegal ports
Passing through ports that are not allowed, with hidden motives


(rising from the depths falling off the tongue)
Emerging from the depths of the unconscious, slipping from the artist's mouth


Ships drifting out of tune
Boats losing their direction, falling out of harmony with their surroundings


(coming in like waves rolling off the coast)
As described before, bringing back memories, but specifically likened to waves


Many, many more, sculpting the shoreline
Countless boats forming and shaping the coastline


Etching the harbor and the people
Leaving a permanent mark on both the port and its inhabitants


Who've stayed afloat
The people who have endured and survived despite the hardships and dangers


Is that your shape in the foam of the sea
Could that be an image of you in the sea's foam?


After all these years coming home to me
Returning to me after so much time has passed


La Chascona (hearts to ocean) vows unbroken
The promise made by La Chascona to keep the ocean in her heart remains intact


Lying in the bath fully clothed
Relaxing in the tub without undressing


Ready for the ocean's wake
Looking forward to the ocean's movement and response


The tears won't wash away
Crying will not erase the pain or sadness


What her eyes can't erase
Whatever the eyes cannot remove or eliminate


Not safe to say in her native tongue
Unable to speak in her own language for fear of consequences


A radio voice drowning out
A voice on the radio overpowering all other sounds


The general's song lingering on
The lingering effect of a song about a military leader


A raft made of books from a driftwood house
Building a raft out of books salvaged from a driftwood establishment


Returns to the waves
Sending the raft and books back to the water




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOEY BURNS, JOHN BURNS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Gabriel Reyes

I live in Valparaiso and its a magical city...like this song. The hills, the sea, the wind in your face, the colorful houses

Alberto MUFC

what a wonderful song!
Valparaiso is an amazing city.

Silvana Santillan

No existen palabras para describir la belleza de esta cancion

Knight1805

Great song!!!

Knight1805

Great song!

Aphrodite7stars

Puts ya in tha MOOD <3 Thx Calexico

Knight1805

It's been a fun 10 years. Looking forward to the next 10.

Daniyal Amed

listening to this right now.... in Valparaiso!

Siul Ô Fortune

Recuerdos... del puerto.

Knight1805

Does anyone know how to play this song on guitar??? If so please post a video!

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