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.
Río Santa
Pastorita Huaracina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
santa caudaloso (bis)
Quiero que lleves
todas mis penas al olvido. (bis)
Todos me dicen
todos me cuentan
De que me vale
de me sirve
que eres santa
si tus corrientes
son traicioneras
río santa. (bis)
Todos me dicen
todos me cuentan
que eres santa. (bis)
De que me vale
de me sirve
que eres santa
si tus corrientes
son traicioneras
río santa. (bis)
The song "Río Santa" by Pastorita Huaracina follows the story of the river Santa, which is personified as a strong and mighty river with treacherous currents. The chorus of the song portrays the singer's desire for the river to take away all their sorrows and forget all their troubles. However, the next verse begins to question the river's nature despite its reputation as a "saintly" river. The lyrics say, "Of what use is it to me / that you are holy / if your currents are treacherous." The song goes on to repeat this verse, highlighting the theme of the illusion of goodness and questioning the dangers that may lie beneath the surface of things that are seemingly virtuous.
The song's lyrics are deeply symbolic of both the physical and emotional landscapes of Peru. The river Santa is an actual river that flows through several regions of Peru and plays an important role in its history and culture. The river's currents are said to be unpredictable and pose a danger to anyone who attempts to cross it. The river itself is a symbol of the country's natural beauty and power, but also represents the dangers and challenges that come with it. The song's chorus suggests that the river could potentially take away someone's sorrows, which is a common belief in Peruvian folklore that personifies nature as having healing powers.
Line by Line Meaning
Rio santa rió
The Santa River is flowing
santa caudaloso (bis)
It is a powerful river
Quiero que lleves
I want you to take
todas mis penas al olvido. (bis)
all my sorrows away into oblivion
Todos me dicen
Everyone tells me
todos me cuentan
everyone says
que eres santa. (bis)
that you are holy
De que me vale
What good is it to me
de me sirve
what does it serve me
que eres santa
that you are holy
si tus corrientes
if your currents
son traicioneras
are treacherous
río santa. (bis)
Santa River
Contributed by Benjamin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alberto
on Malvacina
Donde esta la parte quechua de la canción?