El Casamiento

Los Chalchaleros' song "El Casamiento" is a humorous and vivid portrayal of a wedding in a rural setting, filled with colorful characters and amusing situations. The song, performed in the traditional Argentine folk style known as chacarera, uses playful language and local slang to paint a picture of a wedding that is far from conventional.

The narrative begins with Doña Filomena inviting friends to her daughter's wedding. The daughter, humorously described as a forty-year-old woman with a beard and mustache, is set to marry a short man she met at night. This sets the tone for the song, highlighting the quirky and somewhat absurd nature of the event. The groom's gift of ten hens and a crooked rooster, which the godfather visits at night, adds to the comedic element, suggesting a less-than-ideal but endearing rural life.

As the wedding festivities commence, the song describes various characters and their antics. A limping man dances the chacarera, raising dust, while the bride's mother discreetly counts the guests, and her one-eyed husband guards the gifts. The groom, slicked back with hair gel, is mocked for his small stature by a local. The night ends with everyone drunk, and a dog licking the head of a bald man, further emphasizing the chaotic and humorous nature of the celebration. The song concludes with the limping dancer miraculously straightening his legs, adding a touch of magical realism to the already whimsical story.

"El Casamiento" is a delightful example of how Los Chalchaleros use humor and local color to create a vivid and entertaining narrative. The song captures the essence of rural Argentine life, with its unique characters and situations, making it a memorable and enjoyable piece of folk music.