Patron
Quilapayún Lyrics
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esa sombra que tirita tras sus reses,
huella y arados, comiendo a veces
patrón,
por sus intereses
ahí va su peón.
Patrón,
sudor trenzado con otros peones
patrón, por sus ambiciones
ahí va su peón
patrón.
Patrón,
esa sombra carne al sol que le rotura
con sueldo enano, su tierra oscura
patrón, y que usted disfruta
ahí va su peón
Patrón,
esa sombra como un nuevo Cristo que anda
piedra en el pecho, cruz en la espalda
patrón,
y tosiendo rabia
ahí va su peón
patrón.
Patrón,
una sombra y otra sombra hacen tormenta
y el vendaval no tiene rienda
patrón,
no hay quien lo detenga
ahí va su peón.
Patrón,
si esa sombra en luz estalla y ve que avanza
como una aurora en su garganta
patrón, se le vuelve daga
ese es su peón
patrón.
The Quilapayún song "Patrón" paints a vivid and somber picture of the relationship between a wealthy landowner (the "patrón") and his laborers, or "peones." The opening verse describes the peon as a mere shadow trembling behind the patrón's cattle, plow, and sometimes dinner plate, existing solely to serve his master's interests. The second verse reveals that the peon is also responsible for building and maintaining the patrón's infrastructure, working tirelessly alongside his fellow laborers under the hot sun. The third verse depicts the peon as a sacrificial figure, weakened and broken by his paltry wages and the dark soil he tills for his wealthy employer's profit. In the fourth verse, the peon takes on a more militant tone, becoming a "new Christ" bearing the weight of his suffering and coughing out his rage. The fifth verse suggests a rising storm, as multiple shadows join together to challenge the power structures that keep them oppressed. Finally, the final verse suggests that if the peon can find a way to break free of his shadows and become his own person, he will become a weapon against the patrón rather than a mere tool for his plans.
Line by Line Meaning
Patrón,
Referring to the owner of the land, the shadow that trembles behind his cattle.
esa sombra que tirita tras sus reses,
Describing the figure that follows the cattle in the trembling shadow.
huella y arados, comiendo a veces
The patron has the tracks and plows, and sometimes feeds his peon.
patrón,
Referring to the owner again, who has an attendant.
por sus intereses
The peon is there due to the owner’s interests.
ahí va su peón.
The patron's shadow walks with the peon.
esa sombra que levanta sus galpones
The shadow also builds patron's sheds.
sudor trenzado con otros peones
The sweat is interwoven with that of other peons.
patrón,
The landowner again.
por sus ambiciones
The peon is there to meet the owner's ambitions.
ahí va su peón
The patron's shadow follows the peon.
patrón.
Referring to the owner again.
esa sombra carne al sol que le rotura
The shadow is meat on the sun that breaks him.
con sueldo enano, su tierra oscura
Peon gets dark land and a low salary.
patrón,
Referring to the owner again.
y que usted disfruta
The owner enjoys this situation.
ahí va su peón
The patron's shadow follows the peon.
Patrón,
The owner of the land.
esa sombra como un nuevo Cristo que anda
The shadow is like a new Christ walking.
piedra en el pecho, cruz en la espalda
He carries a stone on his chest and a cross on his back.
patrón,
Referring to the owner.
y tosiendo rabia
This makes the peon cough with anger.
ahí va su peón
The patron's shadow follows the peon.
patrón.
Referring to the owner again.
Patrón,
The owner of the land.
una sombra y otra sombra hacen tormenta
One shadow plus another make a storm.
y el vendaval no tiene rienda
The wind has no control.
patrón,
Referring to the owner again.
no hay quien lo detenga
No one can stop this.
ahí va su peón.
The patron's shadow follows the peon.
Patrón,
Referring to the owner of the land.
si esa sombra en luz estalla y ve que avanza
If the shadow explodes into light and sees progress.
como una aurora en su garganta
Like an aurora in his throat.
patrón,
Referring to the owner again.
se le vuelve daga
It turns into a dagger.
ese es su peón
This is his peon.
patrón.
Referring to the landowner again.
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.