Campana de Palo

María Elena Walsh's song "Campana de Palo" is a poignant tribute to the Argentine teachers who work tirelessly under challenging conditions. The lyrics are a heartfelt portrayal of a teacher's life, filled with dedication and sacrifice. The song opens with the teacher introducing herself as a second mother and a laborer, highlighting her dual role in nurturing and educating children. The imagery of children walking barefoot and the school being a dilapidated shack paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by educators in rural and impoverished areas of Argentina.

The teacher describes herself as someone who sows destinies from the sea to the mountains, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of her work. However, she also laments the lack of resources, where chalk and books are mere fantasies. The recurring metaphor of the "campana de palo" (wooden bell) symbolizes the isolation and the struggle for recognition and support. The bell, which should call students to learn, instead rings in solitude, underscoring the teacher's sense of abandonment.

The song also touches on the emotional toll of the profession. The teacher speaks of mending sorrows and consoling miseries, indicating the emotional labor involved in her work. She teaches her students to honor the flag, representing a love for the country that is not always reciprocated. The phrase "letras de pólvora y piedra" (letters of gunpowder and stone) suggests that the lessons taught are hard-earned and fraught with difficulty. The song concludes with a bittersweet acknowledgment of the teacher's love for her country, despite the hardships, encapsulated in the line "Hasta aquí llegó mi amor" (This is where my love has brought me).