continuará nuestra lucha
Quilapayún Lyrics
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hermanos, hermanos.
Sabed que, nuestra lucha
continuará en la tierra,
continuará en el cobre
y en la ardiente salitrera,
continuará en el hierro, en el carbón
y en su oscuro socavón.
Estará nuestra lucha en todas partes
y en nuestro corazón estas banderas
que presenciaron vuestra muerte,
que se empaparon de la sangre vuestra.
Hermanos, hermanos
hermanos, hermanos.
Sabed, que nuestra lucha
continuará en la tierra,
continuará en el campo,
los talleres, las canteras,
continuará en los puertos
y en las calles de la población.
The song "Continuará Nuestra Lucha" by Quilapayún is a powerful protest song with strong political themes that touch on the ruthless exploitation of Chile’s natural resources and the struggle for justice and human rights. From the very beginning of the song, the singer addresses ‘hermanos’ (brothers) repeatedly to bring a sense of shared struggle, resilience, and hope among the people. The lyrics reflect on the persistent nature of the struggle for equality and justice, asserting that it will never fade away, and that it will continue to thrive in all corners of the society. The first verse describes how the fight will continue in the minerals industries including copper, iron, and coal mines, whose underground chambers, even in the darkness, will carry the bright and resilient spirit of this struggle.
The second verse calls out even more arenas where the struggle continues, such as ‘el campo’ (the countryside), ‘las canteras’ (quarries), ‘los talleres’ (workshops), the ports and even in the streets of the population. The mention of ‘banderas’ (flags) that have witnessed the listener´s ultimate sacrifice and drenched in their blood, conveys the sense of solidarity and brotherhood that persists even after one’s death. The song's tone, lyrics, and melody provoke a powerful emotional response, evoking the sense of the ongoing struggle that people endure to resist oppressive structures.
Line by Line Meaning
Hermanos, hermanos,
Addressing to the fellow beings and emphasizing the unity.
hermanos, hermanos.
Repeating the call for unity among the people.
Sabed que, nuestra lucha
Acknowledging and announcing about their struggle.
continuará en la tierra,
Asserting that their fight for justice will remain in the land.
continuará en el cobre
Expressing their fight will go on in the copper mines which were the source of exploitations.
y en la ardiente salitrera,
Continuing their struggle in the nitrate mines where the workers were exploited.
continuará en el hierro, en el carbón
Indicating their battle will also continue in the coal and iron mines.
y en su oscuro socavón.
Referring to the underground tunnels and passages in the mines where workers suffered.
Estará nuestra lucha en todas partes
Spreading the word that their movement will be all-encompassing.
y en nuestro corazón estas banderas
Stating their symbols of protest and resistance will always be in their hearts.
que presenciaron vuestra muerte,
Highlighting how their banners were witnesses to the deaths and sufferings of the workers.
que se empaparon de la sangre vuestra.
Symbolizing how their flags were soaked in the blood of the workers who sacrificed for the cause.
Sabed, que nuestra lucha
Reasserting their battle for justice.
continuará en la tierra,
Reiterating that their struggle will continue in the soil.
continuará en el campo,
Affirming their fight for justice will go on in the rural areas.
los talleres, las canteras,
Expressing their protest in the factories, quarries, and other similar workplaces.
continuará en los puertos
Expressing their protest will reach to the ports where the commodities are exported.
y en las calles de la población.
Making it clear their fight for justice will be visible on the streets of the town.
Contributed by Adeline L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.