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.
Olimar
Daniel Viglietti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Del negro pulso de la tierra.
Eres la luz, la clara luz
De la mirada de los cielos.
Olimar, tu arena buena
Es el tiempo de tu senda.
Eres la voz, canción azul
Que nació en tristes madrugadas.
Las guitarras de la lluvia.
Eres camino de las canciones
Que regresan desde el cielo.
Olimar, hasta callado,
Tus colores tienen coplas.
Eres destino, agua que sueña
Enamorada de zorzales.
Olimar yo no estaré
Y tú andarás por los montes.
Eres un dios, yo creo en ti,
Viajero que nunca muere.
Olimar, llévame,
Llévame Olimar,
Cuéntame, río azul,
De tu callada existencia.
Olimar...
The lyrics to Daniel Viglietti's "Olimar" are a loving ode to the Olimar River, celebrating its celestial beauty and connection to the earth's pulse. The river is described as a clear light from the heavens, with good sand marking the path of time. It is also portrayed as a blue song born out of sad dawn mornings, and a road for returning songs from the sky. Even in its silence, Olimar's colors inspire poetry and songs, and the river is seen as a destination and dream for enamored birds. The singer acknowledges that he will not always be around to admire the river's beauty, but believes in its timeless nature and its status as a god-like figure, a never-dying traveler. The refrain of "Llévame, llévame, Olimar" ("Take me, take me, Olimar") reflects a desire to be carried away by the river's quiet existence and blue waters.
Overall, the lyrics to "Olimar" evoke a sense of peaceful longing for connection with nature, particularly through the magical presence of the river. The song pays homage to the river's beauty and longevity, underlining its importance as a source of inspiration and renewal for the singer and for those who have come before and after him.
Line by Line Meaning
Olimar, vena celeste
Olimar, you are a celestial vein that runs through the earth's black pulse.
Del negro pulso de la tierra.
You exist in the dark rhythm of the earth.
Eres la luz, la clara luz
You are a bright, clear light that illuminates the sky.
De la mirada de los cielos.
You are the focus of heaven's gaze.
Olimar, tu arena buena
Olimar, your good sand represents the passage of time.
Es el tiempo de tu senda.
Your path is defined by the passage of time.
Eres la voz, canción azul
You are a blue song, a voice that was born in a sad dawn.
Que nació en tristes madrugadas.
Your voice was born in sad early mornings.
Olimar, cuando te cantan
When the guitars of the rain sing for you, Olimar,
Las guitarras de la lluvia.
you represent the path that songs follow as they return from heaven.
Eres camino de las canciones
You are the road that songs take.
Que regresan desde el cielo.
As they come back from the sky.
Olimar, hasta callado,
Even in silence, Olimar,
Tus colores tienen coplas.
your colors still inspire poetry.
Eres destino, agua que sueña
You are destiny, a dreaming water that is in love with the thrushes.
Enamorada de zorzales.
You are smitten with thrushes.
Olimar yo no estaré
When I am no longer here, Olimar,
Y tú andarás por los montes.
you will still roam the mountains.
Eres un dios, yo creo en ti,
You are like a god to me, and I believe in you,
Viajero que nunca muere.
an immortal traveler.
Olimar, llévame,
Olimar, take me with you,
Llévame Olimar,
carry me Olimar,
Cuéntame, río azul,
Tell me about yourself, blue river,
De tu callada existencia.
and your quiet existence.
Olimar...
Olimar...
Contributed by Miles V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.