la preguntona
Inti-Illimani Lyrics


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Dónde estará Higinio Muna
vaquiano de trueno y rayo
que mataba de a caballo
bajo su buena fortuna
hasta que lo arqueó la luna.

Dónde paró Rosa Cuecho
la del calzón amarillo
que se fajaba los pechos
hasta que se hizo un ovillo
contra el fulgor de un cuchillo.

Cual habrá sido el anclaje
del que torcía los ríos
del que oficiaba los gajes
de la cruz y los corajes
de los que hilaron con frío
la mortaja de su viaje.

Qué fue de Ascanio Zarzalla
que amarró una nube al sueño
soldó el sueño a su metralla
y la metralla al empeño
hasta pasarse de agallas.

Habrán matado Balbina
cargo de pulso profano
que con hilos de neblina
y una aguja en cada mano
cosió su rabia al paisano.

Pero quién la luz entona
pero quién la sombra puebla
no preguntes, Preguntona,
que hubo sangre derramada




tras de tanta historia alzada,
tras de tanta tierra y niebla

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics are from the song "La Preguntona" by Inti-Illimani. The lyrics describe a series of characters, each with their own unique story, and asks where they have gone. The first character mentioned is Higinio Muna, a skilled horseman who was successful in battles but was eventually defeated. The second character is Rosa Cuecho, a woman who fought back against an attacker with a knife. The third character is someone who controlled rivers and had courage and faith, and the fourth character is Ascanio Zarzalla who had great bravery and used his dreams to fuel his determination. The last character mentioned is Balbina, who was a skilled seamstress and used her talents to express her anger.


The chorus of the song asks about the fate of these characters, but also acknowledges that their stories are just a small part of the larger story of a land where there has been bloodshed and struggles. The lyrics present a sense of loss and admiration for these people who faced challenges and had unique experiences. The song ultimately invites the listener to reflect on the stories and sacrifices of those who came before them.


Overall, "La Preguntona" is a passionate and evocative song that celebrates the resilience and courage of those who have fought for their beliefs and rights. It is a tribute to the human spirit and a call to remember the past, honor the present, and imagine a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

Dónde estará Higinio Muna
Where could Higinio Muna be?


vaquiano de trueno y rayo
A cowboy who tamed thunder and lightning


que mataba de a caballo
Who hunted on horseback


bajo su buena fortuna
With the favor of luck


hasta que lo arqueó la luna.
Until the moon bent him out of luck


Dónde paró Rosa Cuecho
Where did Rosa Cuecho end up?


la del calzón amarillo
The woman in the yellow pants


que se fajaba los pechos
Who strapped her breasts


hasta que se hizo un ovillo
Until she curled up


contra el fulgor de un cuchillo.
Against the glare of a knife.


Cual habrá sido el anclaje
What could have been the anchor


del que torcía los ríos
Of him who bent rivers


del que oficiaba los gajes
Who carried out the tasks


de la cruz y los corajes
Of those who faced danger


de los que hilaron con frío
Of those who spun with cold


la mortaja de su viaje.
The shroud of his journey.


Qué fue de Ascanio Zarzalla
What happened to Ascanio Zarzalla?


que amarró una nube al sueño
Who tied a cloud to his dream


soldó el sueño a su metralla
Who welded the dream to his bullets


y la metralla al empeño
And the bullets to his determination


hasta pasarse de agallas.
Until he ran out of courage.


Habrán matado Balbina
They must have killed Balbina


cargo de pulso profano
A woman of ungodly spirit


que con hilos de neblina
Who sewed with threads of mist


y una aguja en cada mano
And a needle in each hand


cosió su rabia al paisano.
Stitched her fury to the peasant.


Pero quién la luz entona
But who sings about the light


pero quién la sombra puebla
But who populates the shadows


no preguntes, Preguntona,
Don't ask, Inquisitive One


que hubo sangre derramada
For there was spilled blood


tras de tanta historia alzada,
After so much raised history,


tras de tanta tierra y niebla
After so much land and mist




Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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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?