Quirpa
Jesus Sevillano Lyrics
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Oyelo bien, Quirpa es joropo llanero
Quirpa es Joropo llanero
que lo cantan en Elorza
con el maraca y guitarrero
Quirpa nacio en la sabana,
donde nacen los cantares
lo cantaron los palmares.
Hombre del alto apureño
con alma y conversacion
si yo tuviera tu compla,
oyelo bien
se las cantaria al bordon
si yo tuviera tu compla,
oyelo bien
se las cantaria al bordon
Apure llora en silencio
mientras el arpa se oia
mientras el arpa se oia
porque en el llano se supo
que Quirpa se moriria
porque en el llano se supo
oyelo bien
que Quirpa se moriria
Su nombre quedó en Guiripa
su voz quedo en el palmar
su voz quedo en el palmar
su pensamiento en la brisa
y su nombre en el cantar
Yo no se por que en Guiripa,
no quieren a los llaneros,
porque mataron a Quirpa
e hirieron al guitarrero
The lyrics to Jesus Sevillano's song Quirpa are a tribute to a legend of the llanero joropo, Quirpa, who was born in the savannah where the songs are born. The first verse establishes that Quirpa is the name by which they call the llanero joropo and that it is played with maracas and guitar in the town of Elorza. The second verse speaks about the birthplace of Quirpa, stating that it comes from the savannah, and that it was sung by the palm trees, which is a synonym of "people" or "voices" in the Llanos culture.
The third verse is an ode to the highland people of Apure, praising their soul and conversation. The singer declares that he would sing like Quirpa if he had his gift. The fourth and final verse is a melancholic reflection on the death of Quirpa, whose name remains in Guiripa, the place where he was born, and whose voice and thoughts remain in the wind and the songs. The song also raises the question of why they killed Quirpa and wounded the guitar player, emphasizing the tragedy that surrounds this legendary figure in the Llanos culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Guiripa lo llaman Quirpa
They call him Quirpa in Guiripa
Oyelo bien, Quirpa es joropo llanero
Listen well, Quirpa is a Llanero joropo
Quirpa es Joropo llanero
Quirpa is a Llanero joropo
que lo cantan en Elorza
which is sung in Elorza
con el maraca y guitarrero
with the maraca and guitar
Quirpa nacio en la sabana,
Quirpa was born on the Savannah,
donde nacen los cantares
where songs are born
y como Quirpa lo dijo,
and as Quirpa said,
lo cantaron los palmares.
the palm trees sang it.
Hombre del alto apureño
Man from the high Apure region
con alma y conversacion
with soul and conversation
si yo tuviera tu compla,
if I had your company,
oyelo bien
listen well
se las cantaria al bordon
I would sing them to the drum
Apure llora en silencio
Apure cries in silence
mientras el arpa se oia
while the harp could be heard
porque en el llano se supo
because it was known in the plains
que Quirpa se moriria
that Quirpa would die
oyelo bien
listen well
que Quirpa se moriria
that Quirpa would die
Su nombre quedó en Guiripa
His name remained in Guiripa
su voz quedo en el palmar
his voice remained in the palm trees
su pensamiento en la brisa
his thoughts in the breeze
y su nombre en el cantar
and his name in the singing
Yo no se por que en Guiripa,
I don't know why in Guiripa,
no quieren a los llaneros,
they do not like the llaneros,
porque mataron a Quirpa
because they killed Quirpa
e hirieron al guitarrero
and wounded the guitarist
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luis Meza
on Maracaibo En la Noche
Tu boca es como una flor
linda, fresca, roja y pura
es un manantial de amor
que las penas de amor cura
un milagro de marfil
un prodigio de coral
un arca fina y sutil
donde se quiebra un cristal
El alma de quien la besa
nunca ya, podrá olvidarla
queda para siempre fresa
siempre tendrá que besarla
porque tu boca divina
al hablar puede ser cruel
si es tan dulce y cristalina
debiera de ser toda miel.
Autor Armando Molero