La gaita de otrora

The song 'La gaita de otrora' by Alitasia is a vibrant homage to traditional Venezuelan music and culture, specifically the gaita genre, which is typically associated with the Christmas season. The lyrics express a deep yearning for the past and a celebration of cultural roots, as the title itself suggests, with 'otrora' meaning 'of yesteryear' or 'former.' The song is a call to revive the old gaita, the music that the singer longs for so dearly.

The instruments mentioned in the lyrics, such as the 'furro' (a type of drum), 'cuatro' (a four-stringed guitar), and 'charrasca' (a percussion instrument), are all traditional to the gaita genre. The call to 'repícame la tambora' (beat the drum for me) and the repeated exclamation of '¡Pascua! ¡Pascua!' (Christmas! Christmas!) emphasize the festive and communal spirit of the music. The song invites listeners to join in the 'parranda,' a term for a lively party or musical gathering, which is a common practice during the holiday season in Venezuela.

The lyrics also touch upon economic changes, lamenting how the value of money has decreased over time, as seen in the line about how five 'reales' (a former currency) used to be enough to buy goods with change to spare, whereas now thousands are not enough to buy even a kilo of meat. This reflection on inflation adds a layer of social commentary to the song, grounding the nostalgic celebration in the realities of contemporary Venezuelan life. Alitasia's 'La gaita de otrora' is thus a rich tapestry of cultural pride, festive joy, and social consciousness, wrapped in the rhythms and melodies of traditional Venezuelan gaita music.