El Hacha

Patricio Manns' song 'El Hacha' delves into the complex relationship between humanity and nature, using the axe as a central metaphor. The lyrics begin by portraying the axe as a friendly tool, forged by a hand that sought to harvest healthy wood from the forest. This wood was used to fuel fires that baked bread, symbolizing sustenance and the fulfillment of basic human needs. The axe, in its initial form, represents a harmonious interaction with nature, where its use is measured and purposeful.

As the song progresses, Manns describes a shift over centuries, where the axe's role becomes more aggressive and destructive. The once careful and considerate tool now extends its reach into dormant forests, leading to deforestation and environmental degradation. This transition marks the beginning of an 'amargo tiempo' or bitter time, where the opening of the forest leads to desertification and unpredictable weather patterns. The axe, once a symbol of human ingenuity and survival, becomes an instrument of ecological imbalance and destruction.

In the final verses, the axe is depicted as a relentless force, cutting down trees indiscriminately and leaving forests barren. The imagery of the forest as a 'cementerio calcinado por la luna'—a cemetery scorched by the moon—evokes a sense of irreversible loss and desolation. Manns concludes with a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of this destruction: the forest precedes humanity, but the desert follows in its wake. This powerful message underscores the consequences of unchecked exploitation of natural resources and serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term impacts of human actions on the environment.