He founded, in 1971, the recognized independent record label Ayuí/Tacuabé in order to promote and support valuable Uruguayan musical expressions, along with other musicians like José "Pepe" Guerra, Braulio López, Coriún Aharonián, Myriam Dibarboure, María Teresa Sande and Edgardo Bello,
He has performed the works of Cuban Nueva Trova stars Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milanés and Brazil's Chico Buarque and Edu Lobo and has worked with Cuban composer and arranger Leo Brouwer. His recordings are widely available, especially "Trópicos" (1972).
Viglietti was imprisoned in 1972 by his own government. He was supported by the likes of Jean-Paul Sartre as an international man of conscience, a voice for peace, and an opponent of the fascism and tyranny that plagued South America in the 1970s. Rumors about possible mistreatment against him forced the authorities to bring him out in front of television cameras to show that, in particular, his hands were fine. However, Viglietti spoke out that his treatment in police custody was much better than what other political prisoners received. He was a peer of the late Chilean poet and folk singer Victor Jara and composer and activist Violeta Parra.
Cortaron tres árboles
Daniel Viglietti Lyrics
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(Vino el día con sus hachas.)
Eran dos.
(Alas rastreras de plata.)
Era uno.
Era ninguno.
(Se quedó desnuda el agua.)
The lyrics of Cortaron tres árboles by Daniel Viglietti describe the destruction of three trees. The first verse establishes that there were originally three trees, but then "el día con sus hachas" (the day with its axes) arrived, implying that someone came to cut them down. The second verse suggests that one or two of the trees might have been spared, as there are now "alas rastreras de plata" (low silver wings) where they once stood. However, the third verse reveals that ultimately all three trees were cut down, leaving the water "desnuda" (naked or exposed).
Line by Line Meaning
Eran tres.
Three trees stood tall and proud.
(Vino el día con sus hachas.)
(The day came with its axes.)
Eran dos.
Two trees remained, weakened.
(Alas rastreras de plata.)
(Silver wings scraping the ground.)
Era uno.
One tree now stood alone, lonely and vulnerable.
Era ninguno.
No trees remained standing, all had been cut down.
(Se quedó desnuda el agua.)
(The water was left naked and exposed.)
Writer(s): Daniel Viglietti, Federico García Lorca
Contributed by Josiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.