Dama Antañona

Ilan Chester's 'Dama Antañona' is a song that paints a vivid picture of the contrast between the women of the past and the modern women of the artist's present. The lyrics are a nostalgic ode to the traditional, honorable, and demure 'lady of yesteryear' who is depicted as the epitome of grace and virtue. The song begins by describing a woman of clear nobility, admired by romantic suitors and known for her beauty and modesty. This woman, who blushes beneath her Andalusian veil, is celebrated for her adherence to the values of love and home, and for the way she gracefully accepted the affections of a devoted suitor through the dance of a waltz.

As the song progresses, Chester contrasts this idealized past with the contemporary women he observes, who wear bold makeup, short skirts, and carry themselves with a sporty demeanor. These modern women, with their provocative looks and the 'lubricious twists' of dances like the foxtrot, seem to be a far cry from the modesty and virtue of the 'dama antañona.' However, the song suggests that despite these outward changes, the essence of innocence, virtue, and purity still resides within them.

The final verse describes a young woman who, in a moment of playful nostalgia, dons the attire of the past, including long petticoats and a mantilla. In doing so, she proves that the spirit of the Caraqueña—the woman from Caracas—is eternal, embodying both the past and the present, always a woman and a flower. Through this, Chester seems to be saying that while times may change, the core qualities that define womanhood remain the same.