Yo Pisaré Las Calles Nuevamente
Pablo Milanés
A Hymn of Hope and Remembrance: Unpacking Pablo Milanés' 'Yo Pisaré Las Calles Nuevamente'
Pablo Milanés' song 'Yo Pisaré Las Calles Nuevamente' is a powerful anthem of resistance and hope. The lyrics speak of a determination to return to the streets of a bloodied Santiago, referring to the Chilean capital, which suffered under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet after the coup d'état in 1973. Milanés, a Cuban singer-songwriter known for his contributions to the Nueva Trova musical movement, uses his music to address social and political issues, and this song is a poignant example of his activism through art.
The song is a tribute to those who lost their lives during the dictatorship and a promise to continue their legacy. The imagery of coming from deserts and forests symbolizes a gathering of people from all corners of the country, united in the memory of the fallen and in the struggle for freedom. The mention of 'las canciones que quemaron las manos asesinas' (the songs that the murderous hands burned) alludes to the censorship and destruction of cultural materials by the regime. Milanés vows that the people will rise from their ruins and that justice will be served to the traitors of the nation.
The final verses evoke a future where children can play and sing freely, symbolizing the restoration of innocence and joy in a post-dictatorship Chile. The repeated lines 'Yo pisaré las calles nuevamente' (I will walk the streets again) serve as a refrain of resilience and the belief in the eventual return to a liberated and peaceful homeland. Milanés' song is not only a reflection on the past but also a hopeful look towards a future where the nation can heal and rebuild.