CHE
James Mudriczki Lyrics
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And two of his companions
Were forced to flee the mountains for their lives
Through green and dusty villages they sped along the little roads
All the peasants smiled and shouted as they hurried by
Don't think that we are leaving, don't think that we are leaving
They only tried to frighten us with guns, we shall return
The people smiled and shouted and they ran along a little while
And then they stood and watched, their hands were restless and empty
The body of Jesus was in the jeep
That they blew up before it reached the plane
The priest was proud to bless him
For what there was of him remaining in the afternoon
Don't think that we are leaving, don't think that we are leaving
They only tried to frighten us with guns, we shall return
Continue with your work, continue with your talk
You have it in your hands to own your lives, to own your lands
The smell of oil and incense fills the room in this adobe hut
Where on the table lies the body of a man
His face is pale and young, his beard is dark and curled
Pennies hold his eyelids from the evening lights
The people from the village those who knew him, those who killed him
Stand inside the door, their hands are restless and empty
Continue with your work, continue with your talk
You have it in your hands to own your lives, to own your lands
There is no one who can show you the road you should be on
They only tell you, they can show you and then tomorrow they are gone
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on, Che lives on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on, Che lives on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on, Che lives on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on, Che lives on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
Che lives on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on and on
Che
The lyrics of James Mudriczki's song "Che" tell the story of a group of Bolivian partisans who are fleeing from their enemies. They are pursued through villages by armed men, but the people they pass smile and shout in support, refusing to believe that the partisans are really leaving. The partisans declare that they will return, in spite of the threats they face.
Later in the song, the body of a man is found in an adobe hut, with pennies holding his eyelids closed. It's unclear who this man is, but the people who knew him stand in the doorway with restless, empty hands. The song urges the people to continue their work and talk, to own their lives and their lands. It also asserts that there is no easy road that others can show you to follow in these endeavors, but that the spirit of revolution lives on in the example set by Che.
The song draws on the legacy of Che Guevara, the legendary Marxist revolutionary who fought alongside Fidel Castro in the Cuban Revolution and later became an international symbol of resistance. Mudriczki evokes the sense of danger and uncertainty that accompanied revolutionary struggles in Latin America during the 20th century, and the theme of the people's power to resist oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
One morning in Bolivia the leader of the partisans
The leader of the revolutionaries in Bolivia and his companions had to escape from the mountains for their own survival
And two of his companions
Two of his fellow revolutionaries were with him during this escape
Were forced to flee the mountains for their lives
They had no choice but to escape quickly to save themselves from death
Through green and dusty villages they sped along the little roads
They passed through small villages and towns quickly while trying to escape the authorities
All the peasants smiled and shouted as they hurried by
The people they passed by who supported their cause were happy to see them and shouted support
Don't think that we are leaving, don't think that we are leaving
They tell the people they pass by that they aren't leaving permanently, even though they are running for their lives
They only tried to frighten us with guns, we shall return
The authorities were trying to scare them, but they will come back to fight for their cause
The people smiled and shouted and they ran along a little while
The people were happy to see them and ran with them for a short time
And then they stood and watched, their hands were restless and empty
The people who stayed behind felt helpless and worried for their own safety
The body of Jesus was in the jeep
A reference to the body of Che Guevara being transported in a jeep
That they blew up before it reached the plane
The authorities destroyed the jeep before it could be flown out of the area
The priest was proud to bless him
A reference to Che being a revolutionary martyr and the priest blessing his remains
For what there was of him remaining in the afternoon
A mournful note that only remains of Che's body were recovered after his death
Continue with your work, continue with your talk
A message to the people to continue working towards their goals despite difficulties and obstacles
You have it in your hands to own your lives, to own your lands
They remind the people that it's up to them to take control of their own lives and land
The smell of oil and incense fills the room in this adobe hut
A description of a funeral service for someone who died in the struggle
Where on the table lies the body of a man
A reference to Che's body being laid out after his death
His face is pale and young, his beard is dark and curled
A physical description of Che's appearance after his death
Pennies hold his eyelids from the evening lights
A reference to a custom of placing coins on the eyes of the deceased to keep them closed
The people from the village those who knew him, those who killed him
People who were either supportive or against his cause came to view his body
Stand inside the door, their hands are restless and empty
A portrayal of the sorrow and emptiness felt by those who struggled for their cause and lost someone close to them
There is no one who can show you the road you should be on
A reminder that it's up to individuals to find their own path
They only tell you, they can show you and then tomorrow they are gone
People may offer guidance and assistance, but ultimately it's up to individuals to take action, and those offering help may not always be present
Che lives on and on and on and on
References the lasting legacy of Che Guevara in the fight for justice
Che lives on
A reminder that his spirit and ideals continue to be relevant and inspiring
Contributed by Ethan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.