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.
Cruz de Luz
Daniel Viglietti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Donde cayó camilo
Nació una cruz,
Pero no de madera
Sino de luz.
Lo mataron cuando iba
Por su fusil,
Camilo torres muere
Cuentan que tras la bala
Se oyó una voz.
Era dios que gritaba:
¡revolución!
A revisar la sotana,
Mi general,
Que en la guerrilla cabe
Un sacristán.
Lo clavaron con balas
En una cruz,
Lo llamaron bandido
Como a jesús.
Y cuando ellos bajaron
Por su fusil,
Se encontraron que el pueblo
Tiene cien mil.
Cien mil camilos prontos
A combatir,
Camilo torres muere
Para vivir.
The lyrics to Daniel Viglietti's song "Cruz de Luz" tell the story of the death of Camilo Torres Restrepo, a Colombian priest and guerrilla fighter who was killed on February 15, 1966 in the town of Vicente de Chucuri. The opening lines of the song describe how where Camilo fell, a cross was born, but unlike a traditional cross made of wood, this one was made of light. Camilo was killed while carrying his rifle, and the lyrics suggest that through his death, he gained a new, more meaningful kind of life.
The second verse of the song contains a powerful image of God shouting out for revolution, which could be interpreted as a message of support for Camilo's cause, or as a condemnation of his violent tactics. The lyrics go on to describe how some people were critical of Camilo's decision to fight in the guerrilla movement because he was a priest, but the song insists that even within the church, there is room for revolutionaries. The final verse features a comparison between Camilo and Jesus, both of whom were labeled as outlaws by the authorities but who inspired countless followers to join their cause.
Line by Line Meaning
Donde cayó camilo
Nació una cruz,
Pero no de madera
Sino de luz.
A metaphorical cross of light was born where Camilo fell, representing his sacrifice and martyrdom.
Lo mataron cuando iba
Por su fusil,
Camilo torres muere
Para vivir.
Camilo was killed while carrying his weapon, but his death became a symbol for the cause he believed in and continues to inspire countless others.
Cuentan que tras la bala
Se oyó una voz.
Era dios que gritaba:
¡revolución!
Legend says that after Camilo was shot, people heard God's voice calling for revolution, underscoring the righteousness of Camilo's cause.
A revisar la sotana,
Mi general,
Que en la guerrilla cabe
Un sacristán.
This line tells the military leader to examine his own beliefs, since even a priest could be considered a guerilla fighter in a righteous cause.
Lo clavaron con balas
En una cruz,
Lo llamaron bandido
Como a jesús.
Camilo was shot repeatedly and left to die on a cross, just like Jesus, but the authorities labeled him a criminal instead of understanding the significance of his death.
Y cuando ellos bajaron
Por su fusil,
Se encontraron que el pueblo
Tiene cien mil.
When they came to take Camilo's weapon after his death, they discovered that countless others in the community were similarly armed and committed to the cause.
Cien mil camilos prontos
A combatir,
Camilo torres muere
Para vivir.
Camilo's death inspired many to join the cause, leading to the growth of a movement that continued long after his death.
Contributed by Josiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
washington nelson Sena
Daniel Viglietti y su tema..Maravilloso..Hable con el antes de emprender la eterna gira.
Eugenio Luis Germino
Compañero Daniel Viglietti.
¡PRESENTE!
Delcia Tornielli
Impresionante Daniel, como siempre
Flor del nilo
temaso !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paloma Bahamon Serrano
Hoy, hace 56 años, el ejército de Colombia asesinó a Camilo Torres: sociólogo, sacerdote, revolucionario. Un HOMBRE lleno de sed de justicia, de bondad y sobre todo, de AMOR. Su espíritu me acompaña. CAMILO VIVE!! Gracias, Viglietti hermoso.
sara liliana brailovsky
HASTA SIEMPRE DANIEL
Estefany Castillo A
el verdadero evangelio esta en contra de la desigualdad por que predica que todos somos hijos de dios y por lo tanto nos hace iguales
Estefany Castillo A
VIVA CAMILO TORRES EJEMPLAR SER HUMANO CRISTIANISMO Y COMUNISMO SE ENCUENTRAN EN EL CAMINO GRACIAS VIGLIETTI