La vida total
Quilapayún Lyrics

The lyrics to Quilapayún's song La vida total delve into the complex and interconnected nature of life, death, love, and time. The opening line, "La vida es un espacio entre dos muertes" translates to "life is a space between two deaths," a profound statement suggesting that our existence is bookended by mortality. The next line, "La muerte es un silencio del amor" or "death is a silence of love," offers a contrasting sentiment, as if to say that love has the ability to transcend death and continue on in some form.

The following lines liken love to an orgasm between two tears, a poignant and vivid metaphor that captures the intense emotional release of both love and grief. This is contrasted with the image of a tear as a lake without a song, a mournful and stagnant image highlighting the inherent sadness of loss. The concept of song and music is then introduced, with the mouth seen as a mysterious instrument capable of producing song, but also as an abyss before the heart.

The heart itself is presented as a kind of abyss, not only within us physically but also existing between two "sangres" or bloods, perhaps hinting at the idea of connection and union with others. Blood as the motor that drives us forward is introduced, leading to our actions as a dance against time. Finally, time is presented as a measuring stick, something that orders and organizes the chaos of life.

The second stanza shifts its focus to the natural world, with the jungle seen as the ancestor of the desert, both representing different stages of life and growth. The idea of being "already drunk" on life is introduced, suggesting that perhaps our fate is already determined or that we have been shaped by our experiences. Drinking does not extinguish the fire within us ("Beber no amaga el fuego en la conciencia") and our conscience is seen as an ancient hourglass, a symbol of the finite nature of time.