Pago Cambiado

In 'Pago Cambiado,' Lazaro Caballero poignantly reflects on the transformation of his homeland and the erosion of traditional customs. The song is steeped in nostalgia, lamenting the loss of cultural practices and the disappearance of a way of life that once defined the community. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a land where the old ways are fading, leaving behind empty corrals and abandoned traditions. This sense of loss is palpable as Caballero describes how the 'pilcha gaucha' (traditional gaucho clothing) and other symbols of the past are being discarded, and the 'taperas del alma' (ruins of the soul) are filled with sorrow.

Caballero's lyrics also highlight the resignation of the 'viejos criollos rastreadores' (old Creole trackers), whose skills and knowledge are becoming obsolete. The imagery of erased tracks and forgotten paths underscores the theme of cultural erosion. The song mourns the fading of 'viejas costumbres camperas' (old rural customs), which are being chased away by the relentless march of time and modernity. The refrain of these customs being 'rastreadas por el olvido' (tracked by oblivion) emphasizes the inevitability of this cultural decline.

The song's emotional depth is further enriched by its references to the changing landscape, from the ground to the horizon. The once-resonant cries of the 'chaqueño' (a person from the Chaco region) no longer echo through the mountains, symbolizing the silencing of a vibrant culture. The imagery of old lassos and guardamontes (protective clothing) gathering dust in barns, and the absence of well-dressed 'paisanos' (countrymen) and 'chinas' (women) riding together, paints a poignant picture of a world slipping away. 'Pago Cambiado' is a heartfelt tribute to a disappearing heritage, capturing the sorrow and resignation of a community witnessing the erosion of its identity.