El martillo
Víctor Jara Lyrics

In Victor Jara's El Martillo, the singer addresses their brother, calling for a united effort to defend peace in their country. The repeated refrain "Alerta el peligro" serves to emphasize the urgency of their call to action, while the three stanzas suggest alternate means of spreading their message. The first stanza employs the image of a hammer, an instrument used for building and shaping, but also for striking and dismantling. In this context, the hammer is a tool for resistance and revolution, used to break down oppressive structures and create something new. The second stanza introduces the image of a bell, traditionally used to summon people together or signal danger. The singer suggests that they would use this instrument to rally support for their cause. The final stanza presents the idea of a song, which could be sung day and night throughout the country, serving as a unifying force and a reminder of their shared beliefs.

The use of these three distinct images (hammer, bell, and song) highlights the multifaceted nature of their struggle, as well as the need for a variety of methods to achieve their goals. The final lines, "Martillo de justicia/ campana de libertad/ y una canción de paz" (hammer of justice, bell of liberty, and a song of peace) tie these threads together, reinforcing the idea that the fight for justice and freedom must ultimately lead to a peaceful future.