The group was formed by students at Universidad Técnica del Estado at Santiago, Chile in 1967. In 1973 as they were on tour abroad, General Augusto Pinochet launched a coup d'etat and took power. Having heard of the numerous extra-judicial killings of many fellow artists by Chile's army, they took up residence in Italy, resulting in "the longest tour in history" for Inti-Illimani as they lived in de facto exile. They continued their efforts supporting Chilean democracy internationally; magnitizdat copies of their work continued to be widely distributed in Chile. In September 1988, days after they were no longer banned from Chile, they began touring Chile again. They helped organize the voting down of the referendum that would have re-elected Pinochet. Recently, they were actually supported by Chile as representatives of Chilean culture.
In the past the group was musically led by Horacio Salinas and politically led by Jorge Coulon. However, in 2001 there was a controversial split of the group, which started when three key members left the group (José Seves, Horacio Durán and Horacio Salinas). They were replaced by Manuel Meriño (from Entrama), Cristián González and Juan Flores. Due to the importance of departed members, many called into question the ability of the remainder to carry on the Inti-Illimani name. Meanwhile, the three departed members started their own group they call Inti-Histórico. From 2005 there are two groups:
Inti-Illimani New (Coulon brothers)
Inti-Illimani Histórico (José Seves, Horacio Durán and Horacio Salinas)
Membership
In August 1967 Inti-Illimani's earliest membership consisted of:
Horacio Durán
Max Berrú
Jorge Coulon
Luis Espinoza
Oscar Guzmán
Ciro Retamal
Pedro Yáñez
In 1968 Inti-Illimani's membership consisted of:
Horacio Salinas (Musical director and main composer)
Horacio Durán
Max Berrú
Jorge Coulon
Ernesto Perez de Arce
Current line-up of the "Inti-Illimani Nuevo":
Jorge Coulon
Christian González
Daniel Cantillana
Juan Flores
Efren Viera
Marcelo Coulon
Manuel Meriño
César Jara
Current line-up of the "Inti-Histórico":
Horacio Salinas
Horacio Durán
José Seves
Jorge Ball
Fernando Julio
Camilo Salinas
Danilo Donoso
Other members in the history of the group:
Ernesto Pérez de Arce
Homero Altamirano
José Miguel Camus
Renato Freyggang
Pedro Villagra
Simón Bolivar
Inti-Illimani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Caraqueño americano
El suelo venezolano
Le dio la fuerza a tu voz
Simón Bolívar, Simón
Nació de tu Venezuela
Y por todo el tiempo vuela
Como candela tu voz
Señalando un rumbo cierto
En este suelo cubierto
De muertos con dignidad
Simón bolívar, Simón
Revivido en las memorias
Que abrió otro tiempo la historia
Te espera el tiempo Simón
Simón Bolívar, razón
Razón del pueblo profunda
Antes que todo se hunda
Vamos de nuevo Simón
Simón Bolívar, Simón
En el sur la voz amiga
Es la voz de José Artigas
Que también tenía razón
The song Simón Bolívar by Inti-Illimani is a tribute to the legendary Venezuelan military and political leader who played a pivotal role in the Latin American wars of independence from Spain. The lyrics of the song refer to Bolívar's origins in Caracas, Venezuela and the influence that his homeland had on his revolutionary ideas and his ability to inspire people with his speeches. The song also speaks of Bolívar's enduring legacy, which still inspires people today to stand up for justice and freedom.
The lyrics of Simón Bolívar suggest that Bolívar's voice was like a flame that illuminated the way forward for people living in a land covered in the ashes of the dead. Bolívar's mission was to lead his people towards a brighter future, where they would no longer be oppressed by foreign powers. The song also makes reference to other South American heroes of the independence movement such as José Artigas, who like Bolívar, believed in the idea of a united Latin America free from colonial rule.
Overall, Simón Bolívar is a song that celebrates the spirit of resistance and rebellion that still courses through the veins of Latin American people today. The lyrics of the song suggest that Bolívar's legacy is alive and well, and that his ideas for a better future continue to inspire people to stand up for their rights.
Line by Line Meaning
Simón Bolívar, Simón
The song is an ode to Simón Bolívar, a Caracas-born American who was a key figure in the Latin American wars of independence from Spain.
Caraqueño americano
Bolívar was born in Caracas, Venezuela, but his legacy is as an American, having played a key role in the fight for independence in several countries of South America.
El suelo venezolano
The soil of Venezuela is where Bolívar's story begins, it was here that he first became involved in the push for independence from Spain.
Le dio la fuerza a tu voz
Bolívar's strength and motivation came from the people of Venezuela who supported his vision of an independent South America y who had to combat with ruthless Spanish colonial masters.
Nació de tu Venezuela
Bolívar was born in Venezuela and it was here that he developed the ideas that drove his fight for independence in multiple nations.
Y por todo el tiempo vuela
Bolívar's legacy in Latin American politics and liberation movements still resonates, and the song suggests it will continue to do so for many generations to come.
Como candela tu voz
Like a flame, Bolívar's passion and drive is what helped him become an extremely influential figure for Latin America and its people.
Como candela que va
As Bolívar strove to push for freedom and independence, he set a clear path and direction for his followers to follow.
Señalando un rumbo cierto
Bolívar's leadership provided a clear direction on the path to independence for Latin America, and his followers took heed to make it a reality.
En este suelo cubierto
The song describes the battleground, where countless people gave their lives fighting for independence in a struggle that would take several years and much bloodshed to achieve.
De muertos con dignidad
Though many people died fighting for the cause, the song describes the dead fighters as having died with dignity, and their sacrifice is recalled with honor and in reverence.
Revivido en las memorias
Bolívar lives on in the memory and hearts of those who fought for freedom in Latin America, and the song uses his name as a symbol for the greater cause of freedom in the region.
Que abrió otro tiempo la historia
The song credits thinkers of the past with laying the groundwork for the idea of independence for Latin America, and Bolívar is the figurehead of that movement in the region
Te espera el tiempo Simón
The song expresses an ongoing hope that the liberation movement inspired by Bolívar will continue into the future, and maybe a Bolivarian-style unification of Latin America can happen as an example of peace and unity on this side of the world.
Simón Bolívar, razón
The song describes Bolívar as a thinker, a reasoner who epitomize the freedom-fighting movement in Latin America.
Razón del pueblo profunda
The song credits Bolívar with being a voice for the people, a thinker whose ideas were grounded in the needs of Latin America's common people, whose hope and aspirations he embodied.
Antes que todo se hunda
The song urges its listeners to recall Bolívar's ideas and calls for vigilance for counteracting the corruption and inequity still present in the region.
Vamos de nuevo Simón
The song ends with an appeal to the memory of Bolívar to chart a path towards the future of Latin America against the injustices and social. inequality that still exist.
En el sur la voz amiga
The song mentions the name of José Artigas, a fellow South American revolutionary leader who worked closely with and shared Bolívar's passion for the greater good of Latin American independence.
Es la voz de José Artigas
The song acknowledges Artigas as yet another passionate voice, like Bolívar, for the unification of Latin America and its fight for freedom against social and economic inequality.
Que también tenía razón
The song credits Artigas with being another voice for reason and hope for the Latin American people.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marco 7
Simón Bolívar, Simón
Caraqueño americano
El suelo venezolano
Le dio la fuerza a tu voz
Simón Bolívar, Simón
Nació de tu Venezuela
Y por todo el tiempo vuela
Como candela tu voz
Como candela que va
Señalando un rumbo cierto
En este suelo cubierto
De muertos con dignidad
Simón bolívar, Simón
Revivido en las memorias
Que abrió otro tiempo la historia
Te espera el tiempo Simón
Simón Bolívar, razón
Razón del pueblo profunda
Antes que todo se hunda
Vamos de nuevo Simón
Simón Bolívar, Simón
En el sur la voz amiga
Es la voz de José Artigas
Que también tenía razón
Silvana Fernandez
Simón Bolivar
Inti-Illimani
simon bolivar simon
caraqueño americano
l suelo venezolano
le dio la fuerza a tu voz
simon bolivar simon
nacio de tu venezuela
como candela tu voz
como candela que va
señalando un rumbo cierto
en este suelo cubierto
con muertos con dignidad
Simon Bolivar Simon
revivido en las memorias
que habrio otro tiempo la historia
te espera el tiempo simon
simon bolivar razon
razon…
avada kedavra
simon bolivar simon
caraqueño americano
l suelo venezolano
le dio la fuerza a tu voz
simon bolivar simon
nacio de tu venezuela
como candela tu voz
como candela que va
señalando un rumbo cierto
en este suelo cubierto
con muertos con dignidad
Simon Bolivar Simon
revivido en las memorias
que habrio otro tiempo la historia
te espera el tiempo simon
simon bolivar razon
razon del pueblo profunda
antes que todo se hunda
vamos de nuevo simon
simon bolivar simon
en el sur la voz amiga
es la voz de jose artigas
que tambien tenia razon
Marco 7
Simon Bolívar, Simon
caraqueno americano
il suolo venezuelano
ha dato forza alla tua voce
Simon Bolívar, Simon
è nato dal tuo Venezuela
e tutto il tempo vola
come candela la tua voce
come una candela che va
indicando una certa direzione
su questo terreno coperto
morto con dignità
Simon Bolívar, Simon
rivivere nei ricordi
che ha aperto un'altra volta la storia
il tempo ti aspetta Simone
Simon Bolivar, ragione
ragione profonda del popolo
prima che tutto crolli
andiamo di nuovo simone
Simon Bolívar, Simon
nel sud la voce amica
è la voce di José Artigas
che aveva anche ragione
Auta de Amorim Gagliardi Madeira
Esta música é linda! Escuto-a há mais de 30 anos e é sempre uma emoção renovada ouvi-la; seja pela homenagem a Simon Bolívar, seja pela beleza dos seus versos e pela bela melodia, essa música é plena de encanto em todos os sentidos! Segue do Brasil (Brasília) parabéns ao povo chileno e parabéns sempre renovados a esses fantásticos músicos chilenos que agregam o Inti Illimani!!! Gratidão por postá-la.
Javier Parra Zamora
A 230 años de su natalicio se recuerda su gran legado. Simón Bolivar, Simón!
Marco 7
Simón Bolívar, Simón
Caraqueño americano
El suelo venezolano
Le dio la fuerza a tu voz
Simón Bolívar, Simón
Nació de tu Venezuela
Y por todo el tiempo vuela
Como candela tu voz
Como candela que va
Señalando un rumbo cierto
En este suelo cubierto
De muertos con dignidad
Simón bolívar, Simón
Revivido en las memorias
Que abrió otro tiempo la historia
Te espera el tiempo Simón
Simón Bolívar, razón
Razón del pueblo profunda
Antes que todo se hunda
Vamos de nuevo Simón
Simón Bolívar, Simón
En el sur la voz amiga
Es la voz de José Artigas
Que también tenía razón
luis Manzano
Soy Venezolano, recidente en Chile por más de 4 años, sorprendido de escuchar esta hermosa canción . Gracias por tanto Chile, muchas gracias !!!
Mega Pulsar
Esa cancion forma parte de nuestra nocion de espanol "Mitos y heroés" aqui en mi escuela en Francia (yo soy en ultimo ano de instituto, en terminal literaria). Y me gusta esa cancion :)
Ronald Gonzalez
q buen español coño
Diavolo y doppio
A mí hijo chileno que lleva el nombre del libertador tambien le gusta mucho esta canción del héroe y del grupo inti illimani sobre el gran libertador de América.
Roberto Cevallos
Desde los años 70s he escuchado esa bonita canción sobre el libertador Bolívar. Excelente grupo musical los Inti illimani.
Armando1735
Bolívar, herói da América Latina. Saudação desde o Brasil!
Giovanni Sacco
musica linda que me gustaría mucho escuchar viva toda America Latina un saludo da Italia