Latinoamérica Viva! 2026

Manuel M. Ponce — “De las Sierras” (Poet: Juan del Encino)

From the hills from where I come, I saw such a crowd and such pleasure, to that place I want to return. Oh, such hills! Oh, such meadows! Oh, what springs, such a place! Fortunate are the careful ones Who know how to use themselves. The one who does not know how to change Should never be born. To that place I long to return.

Ernani Braga — Canciones Nordestinas

“O’ Kinimba”: A Macumba song. The god Xangô stays in the country of Kinimba, but he is longing for Nouoê the heaven[cite: 2].

“Capim di pranta”: A Jongo song from Alogôas with Afro-Brazilian rhythms. In the colonial age singing farm workers are fighting against the capim, a persistent weed, which as soon as it is pulled out grows again[cite: 2].

“Nigue-nigue-ninhas”: An Afro-Brazilian lullaby from Pariabo do Norte. The words in blended Portuguese and African dialect do not bear a clear sense; but they offer a sense of deep loving[cite: 2].

I. Chacarera

I like snub-nosed girls and a snub-nosed girl has touched me. Snub-nosed will be our wedding and more snub-nosed the result. When I sing chacareras, I want to cry because they remind me of Catamarca and Tucumán[cite: 1].

II. Triste

Under a lime tree where the water didn't run / I gave my heart to someone who didn't deserve it / Sad is the day without sun, sad is the night without moon / But it is sadder still to love without any hope[cite: 1].

III. Zamba

Even the rocks of the ridge and the sands of the sea / Tell me I shouldn't love you, but I can't forget you / If you have stolen my heart, you must give me yours / He who takes what belongs to someone else must pay with what's his[cite: 1].

IV. Arrorró

(arrorró is a nonsense word used to calm a child, used in lullabies)[cite: 1] — Hush my baby, hush my sun / Hush piece of my heart / This pretty baby wants to sleep / And the naughty sleep doesn't want to come[cite: 1].

V. Gato

The my house cat is very friendly / But when they dance he stamps his feet / Guitar made of pine, strings of wire / I love small girls as much, I say, as the big ones / I love that young girl who dances very much / But not like a sister for I already have a sister / I have a sister, yes, take charge / Although I may not be your master, I say, I like to look at you[cite: 1].