Relato II
Quilapayún Lyrics
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y un largo aprendizaje tu destino.
Fue el llegar de preguntas y de asombros;
fue el sembrar de milagros cada signo.
Fue el que rostros y tierra se miraran
y tierra y rostro fueran un deseo;
fuiste entonces, América sin nombre,
Pasaron siglos rudos, siglos suaves,
y pasaron los siglos ya olvidados.
Pasó Chichén Itzá, pasó Palenque,
pasó Chavín y Nazca y Tiahuanaco.
Desde oriente vinieron nuevos rostros
y la nueva corriente de los siglos,
y de nuevo el asombro, las preguntas,
y de nuevo un milagro en cada signo.
Tenochtitlán perdió sus aguas mansas.
Tahuantinsuyo quebró sus cuatro puertas.
El Dorado abrió sus espejismos
y otra estirpe nacía en el planeta.
The opening lines of Quilapayún's "Relato II" describe the vastness of the singer's origins, followed by a destiny shaped by a long learning process. From the beginning, there was a sense of wonder and the asking of profound questions, an experience that led to the sowing of numerous miracles. But amidst these miracles was the deep desire for union between humanity and the earth, a quest for an inward and outward unity. The singer speaks of an America without a name, a place that had yet to be discovered by the world.
The lyrics continue, describing the passing of centuries, some more tumultuous and others more tranquil. The ancient cities of Chichén Itzá, Palenque, and Tiahuanaco were all forgotten by the world, as new faces arrived from the east; new currents that brought with them more questions and more amazement. The singer then references Tenochtitlán and Tahuantinsuyo, cities that were once great but now lost, while the legendary city of El Dorado becomes a metaphor for the birth of a new race on earth. The song ends with a sense of rebirth and renewal, as if a new era was dawning for the people of America.
Overall, "Relato II" speaks to the rich history and diversity of the Americas, a continent that has seen both glory and tragedy. It highlights how the people of America have always been searching for something deeper, whether it be a connection to their roots or a greater understanding of the world. Through their music, Quilapayún reminds us of the beauty and complexity of the Americas and the desire of its people to continue growing, learning, and connecting.
Line by Line Meaning
Fue muy vasto el origen de tu sangre
Your ancestry has a rich, diverse history that spans across many lands.
y un largo aprendizaje tu destino.
Your journey has been a lifelong process of learning and discovery.
Fue el llegar de preguntas y de asombros;
Your arrival was accompanied by questions and wonder;
fue el sembrar de milagros cada signo.
Every symbol you touched became filled with miraculous potential.
Fue el que rostros y tierra se miraran
Your presence allowed faces and earth to see each other;
y tierra y rostro fueran un deseo;
as if they had always been yearning to connect with each other.
fuiste entonces, América sin nombre,
At first, you were nameless, just a land to be claimed;
el regazo de un mundo postrimero.
But you became the cradle of a future world yet to be born.
Pasaron siglos rudos, siglos suaves,
Rough centuries passed, followed by gentler ones;
y pasaron los siglos ya olvidados.
Centuries that are now long forgotten.
Pasó Chichén Itzá, pasó Palenque,
Chichén Itzá, Palenque - they came and went;
pasó Chavín y Nazca y Tiahuanaco.
Chavín, Nazca, Tiahuanaco - they too left their mark, and faded away.
Desde oriente vinieron nuevos rostros
New faces arrived from the East;
y la nueva corriente de los siglos,
The course of history shifted once again;
y de nuevo el asombro, las preguntas,
Along with them came surprise, curiosity,
y de nuevo un milagro en cada signo.
and the potential for miracles in every symbol.
Tenochtitlán perdió sus aguas mansas.
Tenochtitlán's tranquil waters were disturbed;
Tahuantinsuyo quebró sus cuatro puertas.
Tahuantinsuyo's four gates were broken.
El Dorado abrió sus espejismos
El Dorado revealed its mirages,
y otra estirpe nacía en el planeta.
and another tribe was born on this planet.
Contributed by Kaelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.