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.
Remansillo
Daniel Viglietti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pensando en tu alma.
Adelfa blanca.
Me miré en tus ojos
Pensando en tu boca.
Adelfa roja.
Me miré en tus ojos.
¡Pero estabas muerta!
In Daniel Viglietti's song "Remansillo," the refrain "Me miré en tus ojos / Pensando en tu alma / Adelfa blanca" translates to "I looked into your eyes / Thinking about your soul / White oleander." This repeated line sets the tone for the song's exploration of death and afterlife. The singer seems to be grieving the loss of a loved one, and is trying to find meaning in their passing. The imagery of the different colored oleanders, white representing purity and innocence, red representing passion and love, and black representing death and mourning, helps to underscore the singer's emotions.
The final line, "Me miré en tus ojos / ¡Pero estabas muerta! / Adelfa negra," translates to "I looked into your eyes / But you were dead! / Black oleander." This realization that the loved one has passed away culminates in the description of the black oleander, signifying the finality of death. The use of first-person point of view throughout the song puts the listener into the shoes of the grieving narrator, making the emotions and images feel all the more poignant.
Line by Line Meaning
Me miré en tus ojos
I looked into your eyes
Pensando en tu alma.
contemplating your soul.
Adelfa blanca.
Seeing white oleander plant
Me miré en tus ojos
I looked into your eyes
Pensando en tu boca.
Thinking about your mouth.
Adelfa roja.
Seeing red oleander plant
Me miré en tus ojos.
I looked into your eyes.
¡Pero estabas muerta!
But you were dead!
Adelfa negra.
Seeing black oleander plant.
Contributed by Lillian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.