Vallecito

The song "Vallecito" by Buenaventura Luna is a poignant ode to the artist's homeland, filled with nostalgia and a deep sense of longing for the past. The lyrics paint a picture of a valley that has changed, where the skies have become clouded and the flowers once given in love have withered. This transformation of the valley serves as a metaphor for the changes one experiences over time and the loss of innocence or purity that often accompanies growing older and facing life's hardships.

The repeated refrain, 'Lejos de ti / De mi querencia / Pobre de mí / Me paso llorando ausencias,' translates to 'Far from you / From my beloved place / Poor me / I spend my time crying over absences.' This encapsulates the heart of the song - a deep yearning for the comfort of home and the pain of separation. The artist expresses a desire to return to the simplicity and beauty of his origins, to the old mill, the shade of the strong grandfather, and the fields of his youth. The song is not just about a physical place, but also about the emotional connection and the identity that is rooted in one's place of origin.

The final verses of the song reflect a wish to return to the valley in old age, to find peace and rest among the familiar landscapes and traditions. The artist imagines dying in the valley, surrounded by the natural beauty and the cultural elements that have shaped his life. The mention of the 'piadosas manos magras' (merciful slender hands) of an old woman from Huaco, with her black shawl and ancient Christian faith, symbolizes a return to the community and the comforting embrace of tradition and faith as one's life comes to a close.