Al presidente de Chile Salvador Allende
Victor Manuel Lyrics
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cubría su rostro
la misma máscara
la lealtad en la boca
pero en la mano una bala...
Al fin los mismos en Chile
los mismos en Chile que en España
la muerte no acaba nada
mirad: han matado a un hombre
ciega la mano que mata
cayó ayer, pero su sangre
hoy ya mismo se levanta
hoy ya mismi se levanta...
No los creais
cubría su rostro
a misma máscara
la lealtad en la boca
pero en la mano una bala...
Al fin los mismos en Chile
los mismos en Chile que en España
The lyrics to Víctor Manuel's song "Al presidente de Chile Salvador Allende" convey a strong message of resistance against tyranny and oppression. The opening line "No los creais" ("Don't believe them") warns against false promises and empty words from those in power. The following lines describe a masked figure with loyalty on their lips, but a bullet in hand - a clear metaphor for the deceptive nature of authoritarian regimes. The repetition of "los mismos en Chile que en España" ("the same ones in Chile as in Spain") suggests a connection between the fascist dictatorship of Francisco Franco in Spain and the military coup led by Augusto Pinochet in Chile – both characterized by a disregard for human rights and democracy.
The second verse reflects on the death of Salvador Allende, the popularly elected socialist president of Chile who was overthrown and killed in the 1973 coup. The lines "Todo acabó mas la muerte, la muerte no acaba nada" ("Everything ended but death, death doesn't end anything") reflect the finality of Allende's death, but also the idea that his legacy and message of resistance will live on. The image of "ciega la mano que mata" ("blind is the hand that kills") is a powerful indictment of the violence and brutality of the regime, and the final line "hoy ya mismo se levanta" ("today his blood rises up") suggests that the struggle against oppression will continue.
Overall, Víctor Manuel's song is a tribute to Salvador Allende and a call to resist dictatorship and defend democracy. The lyrics use vivid imagery and metaphors to convey a strong message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The song has become a symbol of resistance in Latin America and beyond, and continues to be remembered and sung today.
Line by Line Meaning
No los creais
Do not believe them
cubría su rostro
They covered their face
la misma máscara
With the same mask
la lealtad en la boca
Loyalty on their lips
pero en la mano una bala...
But in their hand, a bullet...
Al fin los mismos en Chile
Finally, the same ones in Chile
los mismos en Chile que en España
The same ones in Chile as in Spain
Todo acabó mas la muerte
Everything ended, but death
la muerte no acaba nada
Death does not end anything
mirad: han matado a un hombre
Look: they killed a man
ciega la mano que mata
Blinded is the hand that kills
cayó ayer, pero su sangre
He fell yesterday, but his blood
hoy ya mismo se levanta
today rises up again
hoy ya mismi se levanta...
Today it rises up again...
Contributed by Charlotte Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.