Sentado Sobre Los Muertos

Enrique Morente's song "Sentado Sobre Los Muertos" is a powerful and evocative piece that delves deep into themes of suffering, resilience, and the quest for justice. The lyrics are a poignant call to action, urging the oppressed to rise against their tormentors and fight for their dignity and rights. Morente's voice, described as one that should rise to the mountains and thunder down to the earth, symbolizes the need for the cries of the downtrodden to be heard far and wide. This is not just a personal lament but a collective outcry for all those who have suffered and continue to suffer.

The song's narrative is rooted in the harsh realities of poverty and misfortune. Morente speaks of being born from the earth and a womb filled with sorrow and poverty, suggesting a life marked by hardship from the very beginning. Yet, this suffering is not in vain; it has shaped him into a 'nightingale of misfortunes,' a voice that echoes the bad luck and pain of others. This metaphor highlights the role of the artist as a spokesperson for the voiceless, using his art to reflect and amplify their struggles.

Morente's lyrics also serve as a rallying cry for resistance. He calls on the people, despite their lack of weapons, to use whatever means they have—fists, nails, saliva, heart, guts, and teeth—to fight against those who harm them. This imagery of using one's very body as a weapon underscores the desperation and determination of the oppressed. The song concludes with a stark contrast between life and death, portraying life as a series of bitter sips and death as a single gulp, emphasizing the harshness of existence and the finality of death. Through this, Morente urges the oppressed to seize their power and fight for a better life, making "Sentado Sobre Los Muertos" a timeless anthem of resilience and justice.