Gallego

Frank Delgado's song 'Gallego' is a poignant and powerful critique of colonialism and its enduring impacts on indigenous and African populations in Latin America. The term 'Gallego' is a colloquial reference to Spaniards, and Delgado uses it to address the historical atrocities committed by Spanish colonizers. The song opens with a stark recounting of the extermination of indigenous peoples, highlighting the cultural and physical destruction wrought by the colonizers. The lyrics mention how the Spaniards imposed their customs, such as clothing, which led to the suffering and death of the native populations.

Delgado continues by detailing the brutal methods of control and suppression used by the colonizers, including the Inquisition, weaponry, and the spread of diseases. He laments the eradication of indigenous rituals and traditions, symbolized by the loss of the 'areíto,' a traditional dance. The song's tone is one of anger and sorrow, as Delgado imagines retaliating against the colonizers' descendants, reflecting on the historical injustices that still resonate today. He references the burning of the indigenous leader Hatuey and the hypothetical scenario of attacking a modern-day embassy, drawing parallels between past and present forms of resistance.

The song also addresses the transatlantic slave trade and the brutal treatment of African slaves, including torture, confinement, and hunting of runaway slaves. Delgado points out the resilience of the oppressed, noting that despite the violence, the colonizers could not defeat the Cuban independence fighters, the 'mambisas.' He criticizes the betrayal of the Cuban people, who were sold to the Americans after their struggle for independence. The song concludes with a reflection on the cyclical nature of history and a call to remember and confront the past. Delgado's lyrics serve as a reminder of the importance of historical memory and the ongoing fight against oppression.