A La Mina No Voy

Quilapayún's song 'A La Mina No Voy' is a powerful protest against the exploitation and dehumanization of black workers in the mines. The lyrics paint a stark contrast between the lives of the white and black populations, highlighting the systemic racism and inequality that pervades their society. The white man lives comfortably in a house with a balcony, while the black man resides in a makeshift hut with only one wall. This imagery sets the stage for the song's central theme: the refusal to accept a life of suffering and exploitation.

The chorus, 'Y aunque mi amo me mate, a la mina no voy,' translates to 'And even if my master kills me, I will not go to the mine.' This line is a bold declaration of resistance and a refusal to be subjugated. The speaker values his life and dignity over the demands of his oppressor, rejecting the notion that he is merely a commodity to be bought and sold. The song underscores the inhumanity of treating people as property, emphasizing that human beings cannot be owned.

The song also delves into the personal toll of this exploitation. The speaker describes returning from the mine to find his family in despair—his partner abandoned by God and his children hungry. This poignant imagery serves to question the morality of a system that allows such suffering. By juxtaposing the wealth extracted from the mines with the pain left behind for the black workers, Quilapayún calls for a reevaluation of societal values and a recognition of the inherent worth of every individual.