Pueblo Santo
Gaiteros de Pueblo Santo Lyrics
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la última vez que te Vi Con gaita estabas bailando el día
de San Francisco de Asís.
Cristo tocaba la gaita y
el díablo le respondía
Los angeles se acercaban Pa' verte hermosura mía
En el Pueblo Santo mi negra linda te volví a ve
No hay otro sitio en el mundo
que se igualé a este lugar
Los muertos tienen permiso
Para salir a bailar
En el Pueblo Santo mi negra linda te volví a ve
Yo le llamo pueblo santo dónde una gaita resuene
En la tierra de la cunbiamba o en el pueblo de llirene.
Me pregunte porque helena siempre desaparecía
ay con Dios le daba pena si en la calle amanecía
Recuerdo sus ojos claros y
su piel recién pulida Si así eres estando muerta
En vida cómo serías
En el Pueblo Santo mi negra linda te volví a ve
Yo le llamo Pueblo Santo dónde una gaita resuene
En la tierra de la cunbiamba o en el pueblo de Llirene.
The song "Pueblo Santo" by Gaiteros de Pueblo Santo is a vibrant homage to cultural heritage, communal memory, and the spiritual significance of dance and music. The lyrics capture a vivid moment of nostalgia as the singer recalls a previous encounter with a beloved figure, highlighting the rich tradition surrounding the gaita—a traditional musical genre in Colombia that combines African and Indigenous influences. The imagery of dancing in honor of San Francisco de Asís indicates a deep-rooted connection between spiritual celebrations, earthly joy, and the communal bonds forged through cultural expressions such as music and dance. The mention of Christ playing the gaita, and the devil responding, further emphasizes the idea of a harmonious coexistence between opposing forces, suggesting a celebration of life that transcends religious boundaries and embraces the beauty of human experience.
As the lyrics progress, the singer invokes the concept of "Pueblo Santo," or "Holy Town," as a symbolic space where music and memory intertwine. This location is characterized by its unique ability to resonate with the vibrant sounds of the gaita, as well as its association with specific cultural practices such as the cumbiamba—a lively, expressive dance style. The repeated affirmation that this place is where the singer has reunited with their "negra linda" enhances the idea that this Pueblo Santo serves as a timeless space where love, joy, and cultural identity persist, transcending the limitations of mortality. The phrase "donde una gaita resuene" beautifully encapsulates the essence of belonging and the significance of music in summoning memories and emotions tied to loved ones.
The lyrics also delve into the playful and poignant mystery of disappearance and absence, particularly in the reference to "Helena," who seems to represent an enigmatic figure in the singer's life. The questions surrounding her frequent absences combine a sense of concern and wonder, indicating a deeper emotional connection to her. The imagery surrounding her physical attributes and presence brings to light themes of beauty and the impermanence of life, while the rhetorical question about her essence in death serves to highlight the enduring impact of memories on the living. This exploration of loss and remembrance is a universal theme, evoking a shared understanding of longing for those who have passed on and the desire to keep their memory alive.
Ultimately, "Pueblo Santo" serves as a celebration of life, community, and the transformative power of music. The refrain draws listeners back to the core motif—the enduring bond between the singer and their beloved, a bond that persists despite the boundaries of life and death. The invocation of "Pueblo Santo" as a sacred space where the past and present converge captures the spirit of joy, connection, and cultural identity that resides within the gaita and the rhythms of communal dance. Through the lyrics, Gaiteros de Pueblo Santo not only honor their ancestors and heritage but also create a vibrant link between the listeners and the cultural tapestry of their Colombian roots, inviting all to partake in this joyous remembrance.
Line by Line Meaning
Ahí debajo del cuacho,
In the shade of the great tree, where memories linger.
la última vez que te vi
The most recent moment I beheld your presence.
Con gaita estabas bailando el día
You were dancing joyfully to the sound of the gaita on that day,
de San Francisco de Asís.
Celebrating the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi with vigor.
Cristo tocaba la gaita y
Even Christ Himself played the gaita, bringing forth divine music,
el díablo le respondía
And the devil danced in playful counter to that holy sound.
Los angeles se acercaban
Angels drew near, enchanted by the joyous spectacle,
Pa' verte hermosura mía
To behold your beauty, my beloved, illuminating the gathering.
En el Pueblo Santo mi negra linda te volví a ver
Back in the Holy Town, I once again found you, my lovely dark-skinned one,
Yo le llamo pueblo santo dónde una gaita resuene
I call it the Holy Town, where the gaita's melodies echo resoundingly,
En la tierra de la cumbiamba o en el pueblo de llirene.
In the land of cumbiamba or in the township of Llirene, rich with tradition.
No hay otro sitio en el mundo
There exists no other location in the world,
que se igualé a este lugar
That can compare to this cherished place of reunion.
Los muertos tienen permiso
The deceased are granted permission, allowed to emerge from their slumber,
Para salir a bailar
To join in the dance, celebrating life beyond death.
En el Pueblo Santo mi negra linda te volví a ver
In the Holy Town, my lovely dark-skinned one, I once more encountered you,
Yo le llamo pueblo santo dónde una gaita resuene
I refer to it as the Holy Town, where the gaita’s notes reverberate through the air,
En la tierra de la cunbiamba o en el pueblo de Llirene.
In the region of cumbiamba or the village known as Llirene, alive with culture.
Me pregunte porque helena siempre desaparecía
I wondered why Helena would frequently vanish into thin air,
ay con Dios le daba pena si en la calle amanecía
And felt sorrow, wishing she wouldn’t be found wandering the streets at dawn.
Recuerdo sus ojos claros y
I recall her clear, radiant eyes,
su piel recién pulida
Her skin, smooth and polished, reflecting light beautifully.
Si así eres estando muerta
If this is how you appear in death,
En vida cómo serías
How breathtaking must you have been in life, vivacious and full of spirit?
En el Pueblo Santo mi negra linda te volví a ver
In the Holy Town, my lovely dark-skinned one, I found you once more,
Yo le llamo Pueblo Santo dónde una gaita resuene
In this cherished place, where the gaita's music resonates fervently,
En la tierra de la cunbiamba o en el pueblo de Llirene.
In the vibrant land of cumbiamba or within the lively community of Llirene.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Marlon Peroza
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind