The group's lyrics are known for commenting on Venezuela's and Latin America's politics and society.
Africa
Desorden Público Lyrics
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Apellido atrapado en un barco de esclavos
Nombre que escapó de la historia
Santo y sena que se quedó en la memoria
Apellido que pasó el mar
Sangre navegable que se pudo salvar
Del abismo y la cadena, de una enorme condena
De un látigo criminal
Debes ver, conocer, dónde están las raíces
Para comprender y apreciar
Una herencia ancestral que no sé por qué
Desapareció del registro oficial
Pero no de la gente y su día a día
Cuando el alma se agranda y te mira
Apellido africano y esclavo, mandinga y nocturno
Regresa al caribe
Africa regresa al Caribe
Puedo ver y reconocer
Nuestro nombre en el cuero del tambor aquel
Hasta lo puedo escuchar afinado, igual que golpeado, maltratado
Alguna vez adorado
Ancestro extraviado
Escapado cimarrón de este pueblo fundador
Defensor hasta la muerte de una suerte
Que en vida no le tocó
Resistir, aguantar, perdonar sin olvidar
Más que nada sobrevivir y seguir
Adelante renacer y volver
Con fuertes raíces resucitar y existir
Con mi apellido africano
Con la fuerza del pasado en las manos
Asaltar y tomar
El futuro escondido renegado
Africa regresa al Caribe
Africa regresa al Caribe
The lyrics to Desorden Publico's song "África" are a powerful exploration of the search for identity and connection to ancestry. The singer expresses his desire to find his African surname, which was lost when his ancestors were brought over on slave ships. He longs to reclaim this part of his history, which has been erased from official records but not from the memories and daily lives of the people. He believes that understanding his ancestral heritage is crucial to truly appreciating and honoring his roots. He describes the resilience and strength of his ancestors, who were able to survive and thrive despite the horrors of slavery, and he hopes to tap into this same strength as he looks towards the future.
The song is a call for people to reconnect with their roots and embrace their heritage, no matter how difficult or painful it may be. It speaks to the power of music and culture in preserving history and keeping traditions alive. By bringing Africa back to the Caribbean, the singer is symbolically reclaiming his ancestry and honoring the sacrifices of his forebears. Overall, "África" is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking work that explores themes of identity, heritage, resilience, and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Estoy buscando mi apellido africano
I am searching for my African surname
Apellido atrapado en un barco de esclavos
Surname trapped in a slave ship
Nombre que escapó de la historia
Name that escaped history
Santo y sena que se quedó en la memoria
Holy emblem that remained in memory
Apellido que pasó el mar
Surname that crossed the sea
Sangre navegable que se pudo salvar
Navigable blood that could be saved
Del abismo y la cadena, de una enorme condena
From the abyss and the chain, from a huge condemnation
De un látigo criminal
Of a criminal whip
Debes ver, conocer, dónde están las raíces
You must see, know, where the roots are
Para comprender y apreciar
To understand and appreciate
Una herencia ancestral que no sé por qué
Ancestral heritage that I do not know why
Desapareció del registro oficial
Disappeared from official records
Pero no de la gente y su día a día
But not from the people and their daily lives
Cuando el alma se agranda y te mira
When the soul enlarges and looks at you
Apellido africano y esclavo, mandinga y nocturno
African and slave surname, mandingo and nocturnal
Regresa al caribe
Returns to the Caribbean
Puedo ver y reconocer
I can see and recognize
Nuestro nombre en el cuero del tambor aquel
Our name on that drum skin
Hasta lo puedo escuchar afinado, igual que golpeado, maltratado
I can even hear it tuned, just like beaten, mistreated
Alguna vez adorado
Once adored
Ancestro extraviado
Lost ancestor
Escapado cimarrón de este pueblo fundador
Cimarron runaway from this founding town
Defensor hasta la muerte de una suerte
Defender to the death of a fate
Que en vida no le tocó
That he did not get to experience in life
Resistir, aguantar, perdonar sin olvidar
Resist, endure, forgive without forgetting
Más que nada sobrevivir y seguir
More than anything, survive and move forward
Adelante renacer y volver
Reborn and return ahead
Con fuertes raíces resucitar y existir
Resurrect and exist with strong roots
Con mi apellido africano
With my African surname
Con la fuerza del pasado en las manos
With the strength of the past in hand
Asaltar y tomar
Assault and take
El futuro escondido renegado
The hidden and renegade future
Africa regresa al Caribe
Africa returns to the Caribbean
Africa regresa al Caribe
Africa returns to the Caribbean
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wilfredo Sandoval
no me canso de escuchar esta vaina, GRANDE Desorden.