Cueca de La Viña Nueva
Los Chalchaleros
The Rhythmic Celebration of Harvest in 'Cueca de La Viña Nueva'
The song 'Cueca de La Viña Nueva' by Los Chalchaleros is a vibrant celebration of the grape harvest and the wine-making process, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of the region. Los Chalchaleros were a famous Argentine folk music group known for their traditional songs that often reflect the customs and stories of rural Argentina. The cueca is a traditional dance and music style in South America, particularly in Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, which adds a cultural layer to the song.
The lyrics of 'Cueca de La Viña Nueva' use vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the growth of the vines and the joy of the harvest. The 'mugrón de la tierra al pecho' suggests a graft or shoot of the vine that is close to the earth, symbolizing the intimate connection between the land and the growth of the grapes. The song personifies hope as something that dances in the open furrow, using the grapevines as shoes and tying itself with the tendrils, which could be interpreted as the hopeful anticipation of a fruitful harvest.
The chorus invites the listener to join in the celebration, with references to the 'bordalesa,' a type of wine barrel, and the 'jarana,' which means revelry or festivity. The lyrics 'Lo poco es mucho, lo mucho es nada / Todo depende de las heladas' reflect the uncertainty of agriculture, where the yield can be abundant or scarce depending on the weather, particularly frost. The second verse continues with the theme of tradition, mentioning the old-fashioned way of making wine by stomping the grapes with feet, which is a communal and festive activity during the harvest season.