Arrabal
Gotan Project Lyrics

These lyrics from Gotan Project's song Arrabal portray a scene of celebration and catharsis through dance and music. The first line "El negro bebió" translates to "The black man drank," indicating that he is at the center of this moment. He drinks while "bailando candombe," a rhythm typical of Afro-Uruguayan music, which infuses his drum with tears - a reference to the emotional power of music. The second line, "pociones de amor/volcó en mi guitarra" translates to "Love potions/poured into my guitar," conveying the idea that the black man's energy and passion has left a mark on the singer's instrument. This moment is described as "la luz de su redención/final," the light of his redemption, highlighting the transformative and liberating power of music.

The following lines, "Esos cueros llevan sueños/al otro lado del mar...y un viento de arrabal" talk about the dreams that cross the ocean through the sound of the drums ("cueros") and the wind ("viento"), suggesting that music has the ability to connect people across borders and cultures. The last line, "La noche silbó/su antigua milonga/y en mi país se oyó/cantar," translates to "The night whistled/its old milonga/and in my country, singing was heard," indicating how music has the power to bring forward memories and emotions that are deeply rooted in a specific culture or place. Overall, the lyrics of "Arrabal" celebrate the transformative and healing power of music, particularly in marginalized communities where music is often an expression of resistance and resilience.