Quimey Neuquen
José Larralde Lyrics

The lyrics to José Larralde's song Quimey Neuquén are poetic and layered with meaning. The song pays homage to the indigenous people of the Argentine province of Neuquén, particularly the Mapuche and Puelche tribes, who have a deep relationship with the land and the river. The opening lines, "Sol de los arenales / Regada en sangre del / Bravo ceihuanquei," refer to the fierce warriors who fought to defend their territory from the Spanish colonizers. The image of the sun drenching the sand with the blood of the brave ceihuanquei (indigenous warriors) is a powerful one, and sets the tone for the rest of the song.

The chorus, "Aguas que van, quieren volver / Río arriba del canto prendido / Neuquén Quimey, Quimey Neuquén," is a metaphor for the indigenous peoples' desire to return to their ancestral home. The river, which flows downstream towards the ocean, symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitability of change. But the Mapuche and Puelche, who have lived in the region for thousands of years, feel a deep connection to the land and want to return to their origins.

The verses of the song are filled with vivid imagery, such as "Tucos la luna prende / En la negra cimba de mi araucana," which describes a moonlit night in the mountains. The "negra cimba" is a reference to the dark, conical-shaped roofs of the traditional Mapuche homes, known as rucas. The line "Sol que se está gastando / En piedras / Lajas y turbias corrientes" describes the harsh landscape of the Andes mountains, which have worn down the sun and the stones over time.

Overall, Quimey Neuquén is a tribute to the indigenous peoples of Neuquén and their deep connection to the land. The lyrics are filled with symbolism and metaphors, and paint a vivid picture of the rugged, mountainous terrain of the region.