Pastorita Huaracina (December 19, 1930 - May 2001) born María Alvarado Truj… Read Full Bio ↴Pastorita Huaracina (December 19, 1930 - May 2001) born María Alvarado Trujillo, was a Peruvian singer who strongly identified with the traditions of the rural Andes.

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.

El Boracho
Pastorita Huaracina Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Queridos amigos
Sirvanme una copa
Quiero emborracharme
De angustia y pena
Queridos amigos
Sirvanme una copa
Quiero emborracharme
De angustia y pena

El remordimiento
Que llevo en mi vida
Es por que lo quise
Con todito mi alma
El remordimiento
Que llevo en mi vida
Es por que lo quise
Con todito mi alma
Que triste es la vida
Y amargo el trabajo
Pero mas amargo es vivir solita
Que triste es la vida
Y amargo el trabajo
Pero mas amargo es vivir solita
Por eso me encuentro
Borracha de pena
Cuanto mas borracha mas y mas me acuerdo
Por eso me encuentro
Borracha de pena
Cuanto mas borracha mas y mas me acuerdo.
...
Hay borracha, borracha me llaman
Por mi mala suerte
Por mi mala vida
Hay borracha, borracha me llaman
Por mi mala suerte
Por mi mala vida.
...

Fin,,,,,
Marina Camones Ramirez

Overall Meaning

In the song "El Boracho" by Pastorita Huaracina, the lyrics speak of a person who is drowning their sorrows in alcohol. The singer asks their friends to serve them another drink as they want to get drunk off of sadness and pain. The remorse they carry in their life is because they loved someone with all their heart. The sadness of life and bitterness of work are nothing compared to the loneliness of living alone. As the person continues to drink, they remember more and more, hence why they are getting drunker and drunker.

The lyrics are an honest portrayal of someone who is struggling with a broken heart and is trying to dull the pain with alcohol. The pain they feel because of love is so great that it leads them to drink more and more. The sadness and loneliness that come with lost love are relatable and many people turn to alcohol to cope with these feelings. This song can serve as a warning to those who seek to avoid these same mistakes by showing the dangers of excessive drinking when trying to cope with difficult emotions.

Line by Line Meaning

Queridos amigos
Greetings to my dear friends

Sirvanme una copa
Please serve me a drink

Quiero emborracharme
I want to get drunk

De angustia y pena
Because of my anguish and sorrow

El remordimiento
The regret

Que llevo en mi vida
That I carry in my life

Es por que lo quise
Is because I loved him

Con todito mi alma
With all my soul

Que triste es la vida
How sad life is

Y amargo el trabajo
And bitter is the work

Pero mas amargo es vivir solita
But even more bitter is to live alone