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
Yendo y Viniendo
Inti-Illimani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Queriendo seguir el sol casi olvidado de esta tierra
Partiendo tambor atrás hacia el océano me llega
El perfume de una edad que es más fuerte que está cerca
Camino que hace brotar un vendaval de primaveras
Siguiendo tu libertad en cualquier sitio abro esta trenza
Corriendo hacia otra estación para olvidar la vida entera
Ni Dios lo acompaña al hombre si se acaba esta vereda
Yendo y viniendo, pie que avanza
Nada vuelve atrás
Sigue envolviendo tu paso
Incesante su andar
Y otra marcha sacude otra despedida
Digna de un nuevo compás
Yendo y viniendo, así has de danzar
El desierto atrás
La rueda expulsa tu carro
Lo frena, lo avanza
Ese espacio infinito que llena el cielo
Todo lo habrás de surcar
De nuevo al aire llegó el sol temprano en cinco siglos
De grietas se hace el color no habrá navegación de olvido
Y me vale la razón que detrás del sonido espera
La piedra vence al puñal edad futura que se aleja
The song Yendo y Viniendo by Inti-Illimani is about following one's own path and journeying towards new horizons. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer leaves behind familiar and comfortable things and ventures out into the unknown. They are following the call of a new path, one that is guided by the sun and that takes them towards the ocean. Along the way, they are reminded of the past, but recognize the need to move forward towards something that is stronger and closer.
The singer is embracing their freedom and opening themselves up to new experiences. They are willing to leave everything they have ever known behind and embark on a new adventure. Despite the uncertainty and potential dangers that lie ahead, the singer is optimistic and determined. They are willing to face the challenges of life head-on, with no regrets. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "yendo y viniendo", which translates to "going and coming", suggesting that life is a continuous journey full of twists and turns, and that it's important to keep moving forward.
Overall, the song Yendo y Viniendo is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of following one's own path. It encourages listeners to embrace the unknown and take risks, while acknowledging the challenges that may come with doing so.
Line by Line Meaning
Dejando la flor atrás sigo el llamado de otra senda
Leaving behind the beauty of the past, I follow the call of a new journey
Queriendo seguir el sol casi olvidado de esta tierra
Longing to chase the almost forgotten sun of this land
Partiendo tambor atrás hacia el océano me llega
Leaving the drumming behind, the ocean calls out to me
El perfume de una edad que es más fuerte que está cerca
The fragrance of a time long gone is stronger than ever before
Camino que hace brotar un vendaval de primaveras
A path that brings forth a whirlwind of springtime
Siguiendo tu libertad en cualquier sitio abro esta trenza
Following your freedom, I let my hair loose anywhere
Corriendo hacia otra estación para olvidar la vida entera
Running towards a new destination to forget everything past
Ni Dios lo acompaña al hombre si se acaba esta vereda
Even God won't accompany man if this path ends
Yendo y viniendo, pie que avanza
Going and coming, foot that moves forward
Nada vuelve atrás
Nothing goes back
Sigue envolviendo tu paso
Keep embracing your steps
Incesante su andar
Unceasing their journey
Y otra marcha sacude otra despedida
Another march brings another farewell
Digna de un nuevo compás
Worthy of a new beat
Yendo y viniendo, así has de danzar
Going and coming, thus you shall dance
El desierto atrás
The desert behind
La rueda expulsa tu carro
The wheel pushes out your cart
Lo frena, lo avanza
Slows it down, pushes it forward
Ese espacio infinito que llena el cielo
That infinite space that fills the sky
Todo lo habrás de surcar
You will have to traverse it all
De nuevo al aire llegó el sol temprano en cinco siglos
Once again, after five centuries, the sun rises in the sky
De grietas se hace el color no habrá navegación de olvido
Color arises from the cracks, no forgetting will set sail
Y me vale la razón que detrás del sonido espera
And I value the reason that waits behind the sound
La piedra vence al puñal edad futura que se aleja
Stone defeats the dagger, the future age drifts away
Contributed by Gabriel I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fanny
on Hermanochay
Hola, mi padre tenia un grupo de musica andina y cantaba esta cancion. Mi padre hoy ya no está y me hubiera gustado entender la letra, no encuentro traducción por ningún lado, alguien sabe la traducción?