Catorce de Diciembre

Sergio Umbria's song "Catorce de Diciembre" is a rich tapestry of cultural and spiritual references, centered around the figure of Don Toribio Montañez. The song opens by marking the birth date of Don Toribio, December 14th, and immediately situates him within the 'corte chamarrera,' a spiritual court. This court is likely a reference to the Venezuelan spiritual tradition of María Lionza, where various spirits, or 'cortes,' are venerated. The offerings mentioned—green candles, black coffee without sugar, chimo (a type of tobacco), clear cane liquor, and watermelon—are traditional items used in rituals to honor and invoke spirits.

The lyrics paint Don Toribio as a figure of high spiritual light, someone to whom people turn for guidance in matters of property and business. The repeated invocation, "Don José Toribio de la Peña Montañés, eres mi pastor y a ti me encomiendo," underscores his role as a spiritual shepherd. The song's narrator seeks Don Toribio's help to navigate life's challenges, asking for his wisdom and light to illuminate their path. This plea is deeply personal, reflecting a sense of being lost and in need of spiritual guidance.

The song also delves into the transformative power of Don Toribio's spirit. He is described as a lightning bolt that can ignite the roots of the earth, a metaphor for his ability to bring profound change and enlightenment. The imagery of Don Toribio as an ancient grandfather, older than the darkest night, imbues him with a timeless wisdom. His presence is invoked to dispel negative thoughts and bring joy, as well as to cure sadness with the frankness of his words. The song concludes with a powerful image of a candle being lit behind the eyes, symbolizing enlightenment and the elevation of the spirit to a higher plane where it can dance with other spirits in the night.