Marta and her group perform a repertoire of original compositions based on Latin American rhythms. She mixes the joy of the Caribbean with the nostalgia of the Andes, adding jazz and pop elements. With more than 70 compositions, she has traversed Colombian cumbias and bambucos, Argentine zambas, Cuban son and Peruvian landos, with results that evoke in whatever language she is singing in. That may be the reason that lead Marta to share the stage with musicians of different genres such as Bonnie Raitt , John Mayer, Totó la Momposina and Mercedes Sosa. Marta was also chosen to record Kris Kristofferson’s “The Circle” on a tribute to this great American icon. Marta “lifted that song up to when it’s supposed to be, to where it belongs,” according to Kristofferson himself.
In March 2003, Marta’s song "Paula Ausente", based on the book "Paula" by Isabel Allende, won the The SIBL Project International songwriting contest as the best song inspired by a South American book. The song was included on a CD among artists such as Tom Waits and David Bowie.
Her song “La Ronda” was included in the Putumayo World Music compilation entitled “Women of Latin America”. In 2005 Marta was chosen by “Fucsia”, a Colombian magazine as one of the 5 Most representative Colombian women of the year. With four albums under her belt, her self-released "Solo es vivir" was chosen by The Boston Globe as one of the 10 best albums of 2003 and her "Cantos de Agua Dulce" (2004) released by Chesky Records, was nominated for the Billboard Latin Music Awards as the best Latin Jazz Album of the year among Paco de Lucia’s, Nestor Torres’ and Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s. Her album “Entre Cada Palabra” (2005 chesky records) placed Marta Gómez as “The Best National World-Music Artist of 2006” by the Boston Phoenix. In an interview on the National Public Radio, journalist Steve Inskeep said he admires Marta’s capacity of “turning the bitter history of her native country into sweet music”.
Ritualitos
Marta Gómez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Con palabras que alguien me dicta desde otra voz
Ritualitos que tiene uno para vivir
Para seguir cantando bajo este sol
Y cuando menos pienso las razones
Brotan como verdades iluminándome el corazón
El silencio de algún amigo me hizo aprender
Y aferrándome de su mano pude entender
Que una tarde puede durar una eternidad
Y es cuando de repente su mirada
Me hace por un instante olvidar lo lejos que vine a dar.
Tristecita que se me sale del alma a mí
Intentando pintar recuerdos de otro color
Ritualitos que inventa uno para vivir
Una historia, un lugar perdido y esta canción
Y es cuando de repente tu presencia
Viene llenar la ausencia a llevar de versos mi soledad
In the song Ritualitos by Marta Gómez, the lyrics speak about the power of music and the rituals we create in order to live and thrive. The opening line “Musiquita que se me sale del alma a mi” roughly translates to “Little music that escapes from my soul” and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics suggest that the words being sung are not necessarily coming from the singer’s voice but rather from a higher power that is guiding her. The significance of these words is that they are inspired by personal rituals that we create in order to accompany us in our lives.
The second verse speaks about the importance of listening and understanding beyond words. The silence of a friend was enough to show the singer that words are not necessary to convey feelings, and that sometimes it takes a different kind of connection to truly understand someone. The author then speaks about how important it is to have someone to hold onto during trying times, and how someone’s gaze can erase any feelings of homesickness or loneliness.
The final verse speaks of the power of presence and how the presence of someone you care about can fill the void of loneliness. The lyrics suggest that the singer creates rituals to help her navigate through life, to remember past experiences, and to keep herself company. This song ultimately speaks to the importance of relying on our personal rituals and those we hold dear in order to live and thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
Musiquita que se me sale del alma a mí
A song that comes out of my soul, with words given to me by another voice.
Con palabras que alguien me dicta desde otra voz
The words of the song are not my own, but rather given to me by someone else's voice.
Ritualitos que tiene uno para vivir
There are little rituals we all have to help us live and keep singing under this sun.
Para seguir cantando bajo este sol
To continue singing under this sun despite everything that might happen.
Y cuando menos pienso las razones
When I least expect it, the reasons for it all become clear.
Brotan como verdades iluminándome el corazón
These reasons come to me as truths and light up my heart.
El silencio de algún amigo me hizo aprender
The silence of a friend taught me an important lesson.
A escuchar lo que las palabras jamás dirán
To listen to what words will never say out loud.
Y aferrándome de su mano pude entender
And by holding onto their hand, I came to understand.
Que una tarde puede durar una eternidad
That a single moment can feel infinite, even if it only lasts an afternoon.
Y es cuando de repente su mirada
And it's at that moment when suddenly their gaze...
Me hace por un instante olvidar lo lejos que vine a dar.
...makes me forget for a moment how far I've come.
Tristecita que se me sale del alma a mí
This little bit of sadness comes out of my soul.
Intentando pintar recuerdos de otro color
Trying to paint my memories in a different light.
Ritualitos que inventa uno para vivir
The little rituals we invent to help us keep living.
Una historia, un lugar perdido y esta canción
A story, a lost place, and this song.
Y es cuando de repente tu presencia
And it's at that moment when suddenly your presence...
Viene llenar la ausencia a llevar de versos mi soledad
...fills the void and carries my loneliness away in verses.
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.