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.
Tu Que Puedes Vuelvete
Daniel Viglietti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Con voz de nieve cumbreña
Y triste, me recordaba
Las cosas de mi querencia
Tu que puedes, vuélvete
Me dijo el río llorando
Los cerros que tanto quieres -me dijo-
Qué cosa triste ser río
Quién pudiera ser laguna
Oír el silbo en el junco
Cuando lo besa la luna
Qué cosa más parecida
Son tu destino y el mío
Vivir cantando y penando
Por esos largos caminos
Tu que puedes, vuélvete
Me dijo el río llorando
Los cerros que tanto quieres -me dijo-
Allá te están esperando
The lyrics of Daniel Viglietti's song "Tu Que Puedes Vuelvete" convey a deep sense of longing and connection to one's roots and homeland. The opening lines, "Soñé que el río me hablaba, Con voz de nieve cumbreña," suggest a dream-like experience where the river speaks with a voice reminiscent of snow-covered mountain peaks. This imagery sets the tone for a nostalgic and melancholic reflection.
The river's sorrowful voice serves as a reminder of the things that the singer holds dear, the "cosas de mi querencia" or the things of his beloved homeland. It is an invitation to reconnect with one's roots and return to what one loves. The phrase "Tu que puedes, vuélvete," meaning "You who can, return," highlights the river's pleading and crying tone, urging the singer to go back.
The lyrics continue with the river expressing its own sense of sadness and longing. It wishes to be a lagoon, to experience the peacefulness and serenity of being surrounded by still water and to be able to hear the wind rustling through the reeds when kissed by the moon. This comparison suggests that the river feels trapped in its role and desires a different existence.
The final lines of the song further emphasize the similarity between the destiny of the singer and the river. Both are destined to live a life of singing and suffering, journeying through life's long and winding roads. The river's pleading continues, urging the singer to return to the hills that they so deeply cherish, as if suggesting that their true home and happiness can only be found there.
Overall, the song's lyrics beautifully explore themes of longing, connection to one's roots, and the deep emotional ties to a beloved homeland. It portrays the river as a metaphorical voice that cries out for the singer to return to what they love and to find solace and fulfillment in their true identity and sense of belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Soñé que el río me hablaba
In my dream, the river spoke to me
Con voz de nieve cumbreña
With a voice as soft as mountain snow
Y triste, me recordaba
And sadly, it reminded me
Las cosas de mi querencia
Of the things I hold dear
Tu que puedes, vuélvete
You, who have the ability, go back
Me dijo el río llorando
The river said to me, crying
Los cerros que tanto quieres -me dijo-
The hills you love so much, they are waiting for you
Qué cosa triste ser río
What a sad thing to be a river
Quién pudiera ser laguna
If only I could be a lagoon
Oír el silbo en el junco
To hear the sound of the reed flute
Cuando lo besa la luna
When it is kissed by the moon
Qué cosa más parecida
How similar
Son tu destino y el mío
Are your destiny and mine
Vivir cantando y penando
To live singing and suffering
Por esos largos caminos
Through those long roads
Tu que puedes, vuélvete
You, who have the ability, go back
Me dijo el río llorando
The river said to me, crying
Los cerros que tanto quieres -me dijo-
The hills you love so much, they are waiting for you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind