Duerme Negrito

The song 'Duerme Negrito,' performed by the iconic Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, is a poignant lullaby that reflects the hardships faced by African-descendant communities in Latin America. The lyrics tell the story of a black child, referred to affectionately as 'negrito,' whose mother is working hard in the fields. The child is urged to sleep while the mother toils to bring back food and necessities.

The song's chorus, which implores the child to sleep because the mother is working in the fields, highlights the socioeconomic struggles of marginalized communities. The mother's labor is described as intense and unfair—she works hard, wears mourning clothes, is underpaid, and even coughs (possibly due to illness or the harsh working conditions). This paints a vivid picture of the exploitation and the dire circumstances that the workers, and by extension their families, endure.

The threat of the 'white devil' coming to harm the child if they do not sleep is a metaphor for the oppression and dangers faced by the black community. It serves as a stark reminder of the historical and ongoing racial injustices. The song, while seemingly a simple lullaby, is a powerful social commentary on the plight of the oppressed and the resilience of those who struggle for a better life for their children.