El soldado
Quilapayún Lyrics
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Soldado.
Yo sé que tu mano tiembla
Soldado, no me dispares.
¿Quién te puso las medallas?
¿Cuántas vidas te han costado?
Dime si es justo soldado
Si tan injusto es matar,
¿por qué matar a tu hermano?
The song "El soldado" by Quilapayún is a poignant plea from a civilian to a soldier, beseeching him not to shoot. The singer acknowledges the fear and trembling in the soldier's hand and implores him not to give in to the pressure to take a life. The singer then questions the soldier's motivations and the costs of war, asking who awarded him medals and how many lives were lost in the process. The singer challenges the notion of justice in war and questions who truly benefits from the bloodshed. Finally, the singer makes a powerful appeal to the soldier's humanity, asking why it would ever be justifiable to kill one's own brother.
Overall, "El soldado" is a powerful critique of war and the destructive patterns of violence that it creates. The song highlights the human toll of conflict and implores soldiers to consider the ethical implications of their actions. At its core, the song is a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion, especially in times of conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Soldado, no me dispares
Soldier, please don't shoot me.
Soldado.
Soldier.
Yo sé que tu mano tiembla
I know that your hand is trembling.
Soldado, no me dispares.
Soldier, please don't shoot me.
¿Quién te puso las medallas?
Who gave you those medals?
¿Cuántas vidas te han costado?
How many lives have you taken?
Dime si es justo soldado
Tell me if it's fair, soldier.
Con tanta sangre ¿Quién gana?
With so much bloodshed, who really wins?
Si tan injusto es matar,
If killing is so unjust,
¿por qué matar a tu hermano?
then why would you kill your own brother?
Contributed by Cameron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.