Canción Letanía

Quilapayún's song "Canción Letanía" is a poignant tribute to the victims of the Santa María School massacre, a tragic event in Chilean history. The lyrics recount the brutal killing of 3,600 workers, emphasizing the sheer scale of the atrocity with a repetitive, almost liturgical cadence. This repetition serves to engrain the horror of the event into the listener's mind, ensuring that the memory of the victims is not forgotten.

The song paints a vivid picture of the massacre, describing the bloodshed and the silencing of the workers' voices. The Santa María School, which should have been a place of learning and growth, is instead depicted as a site of extermination. The workers, who were already familiar with misery, faced an even grimmer fate as they were systematically killed. The lyrics highlight the dehumanization and the loss of life, portraying the workers as mere numbers in a tragic tally.

In the final verses, the song shifts to a haunting image of a child playing in the now-empty school. This innocent act contrasts sharply with the grim history of the place, raising a poignant question about what treasures the child might find. This imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of the massacre, suggesting that the echoes of this tragedy will continue to resonate through generations. Quilapayún's "Canción Letanía" is not just a song; it is a solemn remembrance and a call to never forget the injustices of the past.