Tamborero

Jorge Drexler's song 'Tamborero' is a poetic homage to the rich cultural tradition of candombe, a style of music and dance that originated among African slaves in Uruguay. The song's lyrics emphasize the importance of oral and musical traditions in preserving history and identity. Drexler uses the image of the tamborero, or drummer, to symbolize the transmission of cultural heritage through generations. The repeated line 'luna llena de cuero es la lonja de su tambor' (full moon of leather is the drumhead of his drum) evokes a sense of timelessness and continuity, suggesting that the drum's rhythm is as eternal as the moon itself.

The narrative within the song highlights the intergenerational transmission of stories and traditions. The 'padre del padre del tamborero' (father of the drummer's father) recounts the history of the drum to his grandson, illustrating how these stories are passed down through the family. This oral tradition is depicted as resilient, capable of enduring through the ages as long as it is shared and performed. Drexler acknowledges that some stories are too profound to be captured in words alone, hence the reliance on the drum's music to convey the deeper emotional and historical truths.

Drexler's lyrics also touch on the idea that history is not just a series of events but a living, breathing entity that evolves with each retelling. The line 'La historia en vez de unos y ceros se cuenta en madera y cuero tensado por el calor' (The story, instead of ones and zeros, is told in wood and leather stretched by heat) contrasts the organic, tactile nature of traditional storytelling with the digital age's binary code. This emphasizes the authenticity and emotional depth of cultural practices like candombe, which are kept alive through physical performance and communal participation. By urging listeners to 'escuchen tocar al tamborero' (listen to the drummer play), Drexler invites us to connect with this vibrant tradition and recognize its enduring significance in contemporary society.