Her career began in the era of 78 rpm records and lasted into that of compact discs. In the 1950s she recorded 4 songs a month and sold more records in Peru than the Beatles. Her success established her reputation as the diva of Andean song and she won every award that pertained to her type of music. She toured extensively in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Pastorita Huaracina was born in the Malvas district of Aija Province, Ancash region. Reportedly, even as a young child tending the flocks, she already loved to sing. Raised speaking Quechua, upon the death of her mother she came to Lima at the age of 8, with no luggage or money and no one to meet her, and speaking very little Spanish.
She debuted as a performer on her 12th birthday. She began as a performer of Andean dances but later became a singer and composer of songs. She developed a reputation as disciplined trouper, always the first to arrive at a rehearsal or performance; this continued even once she became a star. She always advocated for authenticity in the performance of Andean music and dance, including the use of traditional outfits: "typical dress is not a costume, it is part of our identity, something we must assume with honor and pride, being conscious of whom we represent..."
Her singing became a symbol of liberty and of a demand for the rights of the serranos, the people of the high Andes, expressing beauty but also bearing the people's demand for opportunity and conditions for their development. On her program on Radio Santa Rosa, Canta el Perú Profundo she openly expressed her opposition to the dictatorship of Alberto Fujimori and Vladimiro Montesinos, and she was a longtime defender of the validity of the Quechua language. Loyal to her principles, she refused significant sums of money from politicians who solicited her for their electoral campaigns and from businesses which she felt unfairly exploited the people. Towards the end of her life, only one week after an operation and in delicate health, she voted in the Peruvian presidential election of 2001.
Canteño de mis amores
Pastorita Huaracina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dicen que las penas también
Esta pena me está matando
Por tu amor me voy consumiendo
Ay, canteño de mis amores
Yo no sé qué cosa me has hecho
Yo no sé qué cosa tendré
Ya no puedo vivir sin verte
Ay, canteño de mis amores
Yo no sé qué haría por verte, por estar cerquita de ti
Para retratarme en tus ojos y decirte cuánto te quiero
Ay, canteño de mis amores
Por tus ojitos, por tu boquita, mi canteñito, no sé qué hacer
Cuando me miras, cuando me besas, la cabezita siento perder
Por tus ojitos, por tu boquita, mi canteñito, no sé qué hacer
Cuando me miras, cuando me besas, la cabezita siento perder
The song Canteño de mis amores by Pastorita Huaracina is a traditional Andean piece that speaks of the pain and loss experienced due to love. The first verse talks about how love and sadness are said to keep one awake at night, with the latter causing great suffering that gradually consumes the person. The following verses express the singer's deep devotion towards the object of her affection, referred to as "canteño de mis amores." She is unsure of the exact reason but feels deeply affected by their presence, unable to live without seeing them. The lyrics express her overwhelming desire to be close to this person and convey her love for them.
One of the interesting aspects of the song is its use of Quechua language, which is spoken by indigenous people of the Andean region. The song is sung entirely in Spanish except for the repeated use of the term "canteño," which is a Quechua word that refers to someone from the town of Cantón Chico in the Chanchamayo Province of Peru. This is where Pastorita Huaracina was born and raised, and the song could be seen as a celebration of her cultural heritage.
Another noteworthy feature is the use of traditional Andean instruments such as the charango, quena, and guitar. The rhythms and melodies are evocative of the region's musical traditions, with the lyrics expressing a deep sense of emotion that is common in Andean music.
The song is considered a classic of Peruvian music and has been covered by many artists over the years. It remains a popular choice for traditional music events and celebrations, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Andean region.
Line by Line Meaning
Dicen que el amor quita el sueño
People say that love takes away sleep
Dicen que las penas también
They also say that sorrows do the same
Esta pena me está matando
This sorrow is killing me
Por tu amor me voy consumiendo
I am slowly consuming myself for your love
Ay, canteño de mis amores
Oh, singer of my loves
Yo no sé qué cosa me has hecho
I don't know what you have done to me
Yo no sé qué cosa tendré
I don't know what I have
Desde que te vieron mis ojos
Since my eyes saw you
Ya no puedo vivir sin verte
I can't live without seeing you anymore
Yo no sé qué haría por verte, por estar cerquita de ti
I don't know what I would do to see you, to be close to you
Para retratarme en tus ojos y decirte cuánto te quiero
To reflect myself in your eyes and tell you how much I love you
Por tus ojitos, por tu boquita, mi canteñito, no sé qué hacer
Because of your little eyes, your little mouth, my little singer, I don't know what to do
Cuando me miras, cuando me besas, la cabezita siento perder
When you look at me, when you kiss me, I feel like I'm losing my mind
Por tus ojitos, por tu boquita, mi canteñito, no sé qué hacer
Because of your little eyes, your little mouth, my little singer, I don't know what to do
Cuando me miras, cuando me besas, la cabezita siento perder
When you look at me, when you kiss me, I feel like I'm losing my mind
Contributed by Josiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PlayGames-vu4nn
No solo es el amor a la musica original y verdadera... es el sentimeinto y emocion del alma cuando esta melodia llega atravez del oido...mas que un placer disfrutar de musica y original, sentimiento expresado en palabras que nacen del alma, gracias por compartir lo que es nuestro..!
@richardcampos92
A mi madre Irene, como le gusta esta hermosa canción. En cada cumpleaños de la familia lo pide, así sea de ella o de alguno de la familia.
@heberthcajavilcaalvarado
recuerdo de mi infancia,momentos imborrables al escuchar a mi padre ....
@miguelangelchullosaloma9300
Esta es la cancion de pastorita huaracina en la que la tengo en mi lista de variadas canciones de todo genero, sin desmerecer las otras canciones de ella. Pero si me dan a elegir una cancion de pastorita huaracina escogeria esta cancion por su obra de arte al cantarla, su voz su estilo y el conjunto, tipos de sonidos que salen de esta cancion como la guitarra sensacional.
@jheysonmairana5517
Una de las mejores expomemtes de la musica peruana
@AMEDTORREJON
Nostalgia al escuchar esta musica, nos levantavamos alas 4 am, para ir a trabajar al campo, a la mina.
@jovanajenymerinococa9234
,,
@Gusmario2345
Canta de mis amores, hermosa tierra de mis padres
@raquelherrera3955
Hermosas letras incomparables y música que invita a bailar.
@marisolmendezretuerto6961
Linda la canción ancashina