Polo Doliente

“Polo Doliente” by Inti-Illimani is a poignant and evocative song that tells the story of Juan Salazar, a fisherman who meets his untimely death at sea. The song opens with a somber scene where four fishermen are preparing to bury Juan, setting a tone of mourning and loss. The repetition of the lines “cuatro pescadores lo van a enterrar” emphasizes the communal effort and shared grief of the fishing community in Marigüitar.

The narrative then shifts to recount Juan’s life and final moments. Born in a port and dying at sea, Juan’s life is intrinsically tied to the ocean. The lyrics “Anoche, anoche salió a pescar, cantando anoche se dio a la mar” highlight his last night alive, where he set out to fish, singing, only to be found dead the next morning. This juxtaposition of life and death, joy and sorrow, underscores the unpredictable and often harsh realities of a fisherman’s life.

The imagery of Juan being buried in an unpolished coffin and the silent procession of people watching him pass by before turning their gaze to the sea adds a layer of raw, unembellished reality to the song. The final lines, “Como un abrazo sin terminar, quedan los remos en altamar,” poetically capture the lingering presence of Juan’s spirit in the open sea, symbolizing an unfinished embrace and the enduring connection between the fishermen and the ocean. Inti-Illimani’s use of traditional instruments and melancholic melodies further enhances the emotional depth of the song, making it a powerful tribute to the life and death of a fisherman.