Illapu is a Latin American group known for their blend of Andean music and … Read Full Bio ↴Illapu is a Latin American group known for their blend of Andean music and more modern sounds and rhythms. Like many Latin American groups and artists that started in the 60s and 70s, Illapu is well-known for protest music that leans towards the left.

Illapu was exiled due to their very liberal viewpoints during the right-wing dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, and returned to Chile in 1988. Their return was captured in the 1989 album `En Vivo: Parque La Bandera', which was a recording of their returning concert.

During their exile from Chile, they spent time in Europe in general and France in particular, where they gained a good amount of fame, as with other similar groups such as Inti Illimani and Los Calchakis.

Illapu comes from the Quechua word for "Lightning Bolt" (Quechua being the language of the Incan empire and still spoken by many Native American groups in South America).

Amalia Rosa
Illapu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

De Maracaibo salieron
Dos palomitas volando
Y a la Guaira volverán
Y a la Guaira volverán
Pero a Maracaibo cuándo.
De Maracaibo salieron
Dos palomitas volando
Y a la Guaira volverán

Y a la Guaira volverán
Pero a Maracaibo cuándo.

María me dió una cinta (Una cinta)
Y Rosa me la quitó (Rosa me la quitó)
Amalia peleó con ella
Porque Juana, porque Juana se enojó (Se enojó)
María me dió una cinta (Una cinta)
Y Rosa me la quitó (Rosa me la quitó)
Amalia peleó con ella
Porque Juana, porque _Juana se enojó (Se enojó)

Ya se enojaron las cuatro
Y eso es lo que quiero yo.

Amalia, Amalia, Amalia,
Amalia, Amalia Rosa
Esa es la que yo me llevo
Esa es la que yo me llevo
Por ser la más buena moza
Amalia, Amalia, Amalia,
Amalia, Amalia Rosa
Esa es la que yo me llevo
Esa es la que yo me llevo
Por ser la más buena moza

Toma niña ese puñal (Tómalo)
Y ábreme por un costao (Abreme)
P′a que veas mi corazón
P'a que veas mi corazón
Con el tuyo retratao.
Toma niña ese puñal (Tómalo)
Y ábreme por un costao (Abreme)
P′a que veas mi corazón
P'a que veas mi corazón
Con el tuyo retratao.

María me dió una cinta (Una cinta)
Y Rosa me la quitó (Rosa me la quitó)
Amalia peleó con ella
Porque Juana, porque Juana se enojó (Se enojó)
María me dió una cinta (Una cinta)
Y Rosa me la quitó (Rosa me la quitó)
Amalia peleó con ella
Porque Juana, porque _Juana se enojó (Se enojó)

Ya se enojaron las cuatro
Y eso es lo que quiero yo.

Amalia, Amalia, Amalia,
Amalia, Amalia Rosa
Esa es la que yo me llevo
Esa es la que yo me llevo
Por ser la más buena moza
Amalia, Amalia, Amalia,
Amalia, Amalia Rosa
Esa es la que yo me llevo

Esa es la que yo me llevo
Por ser la más buena moza

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Illapu's song "Amalia Rosa" tell a story of love and jealousy among a group of women. The song begins by mentioning two pigeons that flew from Maracaibo to Guaira, but it remains uncertain when they will return to Maracaibo. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the uncertainty and longing in love.

The next part of the song focuses on Maria giving a ribbon to the singer, but Rosa takes it away. This leads to a fight between Amalia and Rosa because Juana gets angry. This sequence of events highlights the jealousy and discord that arises in relationships, with one action triggering a chain reaction of emotions.

The chorus repeats the name "Amalia Rosa," emphasizing her importance in the singer's eyes as the one they choose and admire. This suggests that Amalia is seen as the most beautiful and desirable woman among the group.

The lyrics then take a darker turn, with the singer suggesting that the girl should take a dagger and open their side, so they can see their heart, which is portrayed as being intertwined with the girl's heart. This image is likely symbolic of the deep connection and vulnerability that exists in the singer's love for the girl.

Overall, "Amalia Rosa" explores themes of love, jealousy, and the complexity of relationships. It showcases the emotional struggles and conflicts that can arise when multiple individuals are involved in a romantic situation.

Line by Line Meaning

De Maracaibo salieron
Two little doves flew from Maracaibo

Dos palomitas volando
Two little doves flying

Y a la Guaira volverán
And they will return to La Guaira

Pero a Maracaibo cuándo.
But when will they return to Maracaibo.

María me dió una cinta (Una cinta)
Maria gave me a ribbon (A ribbon)

Y Rosa me la quitó (Rosa me la quitó)
And Rosa took it from me (Rosa took it from me)

Amalia peleó con ella
Amalia fought with her

Porque Juana, porque Juana se enojó (Se enojó)
Because Juana, because Juana got angry (She got angry)

Ya se enojaron las cuatro
Now all four are angry

Y eso es lo que quiero yo.
And that's what I want.

Amalia, Amalia, Amalia,
Amalia, Amalia, Amalia,