from 1984 to 1988, Kortatu mixed punk, ska and soul, creating a fast, activ… Read Full Bio ↴from 1984 to 1988, Kortatu mixed punk, ska and soul, creating a fast, active and dynamic rock which remind bands such as: The Clash, The Selecter, Madness, The Redskins or Red London. Kortatu was famous in the: rock radical vasco . They sing in spanish and basque and deal subjects such as: basque nationalism, far left and social issues. Kortatu published three studio albums: "kortatu" (1985), "el estado de las cosas " (1986) and "kolpez kolpe" (1988). Disbanded in 1988, Kortatu reincarnated as: Negu Gorriak founded by Fermin Muguruza, Iñigo Muguruza and Kaki Arkarazo.
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Kolpez Kolpe
Kortatu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Zalditeria dabil
Gure kontra gora
Pake pipa erretzeko
Hau ez da denbora
Jeronimo gurekin
Zuitik egongo da
Gerrarako haizatuz
Lurpeko aizkora

Kortatu
Kolpez kolpe

Gladiadore berriak
Betiko moduan
Zirko berbera dabil
Gure inguruan
Bankuetxe, gobernu
Ta parlamentuan
Orduko julio cesasr
Hara non daguan

Kortatu
Kolpez kolpe

Abordaje berri bat
Gaur dugu egingo
Gure drakkar
Zaharrean
Gara hiru bikingo
Adarrez hil ditugu
Mila santu-jainko
Inperio zahar-berria
Dugu desegingo

Kortatu
Kolpez kolpe

Aizkolari handia
Txikito aiako
Harentzat kirol zena
Gaur borrokarako
Kitarrariak zorrotz
Goikoen kontrako
Basoan mila enbor
Utziz burubako

Zalditeria dabil
Gure kontra gora
Zirko berbera dabil
Gure inguruan
Kitarrariak zorrotz
Goikoen kontrako

Inperio zahar-berria
Dugu desegingo.

Overall Meaning

The song "Kolpez Kolpe" by Kortatu is a powerful social and political commentary on the state of oppression and resistance in the Basque country. The lyrics follow a narrative structure that reflects different forms of resistance against oppression. The first verse is about a horse that is walking proudly against the oppressor and the next verse talks about the gladiators who fight against the oppressor in the circus, parliament and government. The third verse is about Viking pirates who are fighting the old empire to establish a new one. And the last verse talks about the woodcutter who is now fighting against the oppressor with music and guitars.

The chorus "Kolpez Kolpe" means "Blow by Blow" and it is a call for action to mainstream society to fight back against oppression every day, in every way they can. The song also features elements of Basque culture such as the aizkolaris, the traditional woodcutting competitions, and the santu-jainkos, which is Basque for "saints and gods." These elements reinforce the cultural identity of the Basque people and their connection to their land and history.

Line by Line Meaning

Zalditeria dabil
The rebellion is on the move

Gure kontra gora
Against us, they are rising

Pake pipa erretzeko
To light the peace pipe

Hau ez da denbora
This is not the time

Jeronimo gurekin
Jeronimo is with us

Zuitik egongo da
He will stand by us

Gerrarako haizatuz
Sharpening the axes

Lurpeko aizkora
The axe of the earth

Gladiadore berriak
New gladiators

Betiko moduan
As always

Zirko berbera dabil
The same circus goes on