Chilean group formed in 1965 by Julio Carrasco, Eduardo Carrasco, and Julio… Read Full Bio ↴Chilean group formed in 1965 by Julio Carrasco, Eduardo Carrasco, and Julio Numhauser, later joined by Patricio Castillo. Since its beginning, Quilapayun's lyrics were inspired by social issues related to its country, combining them with autochthonous musical arrangements. In 1966, the band came in first place at the Festival de Festivales, releasing its first album that same year. Folk singer and songwriter Víctor Jara helped the band by promoting Quilapayun's music and making the record Canciones Folklóricas de América together. By the time Julio Numhauser decided to leave, Carlos Quezada and Guillermo Oddo joined in. As Chilean New Song's ambassador, Quilapayun went on its first European tour in 1968. When Julio Carrasco left, Hernán Gómez and Rodolfo Parada became part of Quilapayun's new lineup. Due to Chilean political and social changes in the early '70s, the group settled in foreign countries for more than a decade.

Paloma Quiero Contarte
Quilapayún Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Paloma quiero contarte
que estoy solo,
que te quiero.
Que la vida se me acaba
porque te tengo tan lejos,
palomita verte quiero.

Lloro con cada recuerdo

a pesar que me contengo.
Lloro con rabia pa' fuera
pero muy hondo pa' dentro,
palomita verte quiero.

Como tronco de nogal
como la piedra del cerro
el hombre puede ser hombre
cuando camina derecho,
palomita verte quiero.

Cómo quitarme del alma
lo que me dejaron negro,
siempre estar vuelto hacia afuera

para cuidarse por dentro,
palomita verte quiero.

Overall Meaning

The song "Paloma Quiero Contarte" by the Chilean folk group Quilapayún opens with the singer addressing a dove, expressing his loneliness and his love for someone who is far away. He feels that his life is slipping away without this person, and all he wants is to see her. He cries with every memory, even though he tries to hold back his tears. He cries with anger on the outside and sorrow on the inside, and all he wants is to see her. The singer then reflects on what it means to be a man. He compares himself to a walnut tree and a mountain stone - strong and immovable. He believes that a man can only be a true man if he walks upright with a clear conscience. But even with this strength, he can't rid himself of the pain that this distance has caused him. He has to be constantly vigilant and protective of his inner self. Despite this struggle, all he wants is to see her.

Line by Line Meaning

Paloma quiero contarte
I want to confide in you, my dear dove

que estoy solo, que te quiero.
That I am lonely and that I love you.

Que la vida se me acaba porque te tengo tan lejos, palomita verte quiero.
Being away from you is taking a toll on me, and I want to see you, my little dove.

Lloro con cada recuerdo a pesar que me contengo.
I cry with each memory of you, even though I try to hold it in.

Lloro con rabia pa' fuera pero muy hondo pa' dentro, palomita verte quiero.
Sometimes I cry out of anger, but mostly it's because I'm hurting deep inside. I miss you so much, my little dove.

Como tronco de nogal como la piedra del cerro
Just like a walnut tree trunk or a mountain rock,

el hombre puede ser hombre cuando camina derecho, palomita verte quiero.
A man can truly be a man when he stands with integrity. I long to see you, my dear dove.

Cómo quitarme del alma lo que me dejaron negro, siempre estar vuelto hacia afuera para cuidarse por dentro, palomita verte quiero.
I struggle to rid myself of the darkness that consumes me, but I try to focus on my outer self to protect my inner self. Nonetheless, I crave to see you, my precious dove.

Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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