2024-04-10 00:57:41
Photo: Pepin the Worker
Text: Hugo León
The Cuban singer-songwriter Carlos Varela released on Instagram a fragment of his most recent song, a song that gives a nod to the freedom of Cuba and that will probably raise hives among the nation’s authorities.
The lyrics emphasize the wait without results of those who still aspire to a better future and those who are already tired of fruitless promises made from comfort and privilege. Furthermore, it makes it clear that the time is up for those who have precisely lived by making promises to the people.
In the fragment shared by Varela you can read:
“The ghosts of the tables / still pray for a better day,
You don’t need a church / to find your voice.
I don’t like promises / that come from a speaker
and even though I don’t go to church / I swear to God
that I am going to be free / like the wind.”
The song is close to the feelings of thousands of Cubans who have recently spoken out in favor of changes on the island, in order for the nation to emerge from the crisis that has afflicted it for years.
In fact, Carlos Varela’s new song comes to light in the context of the protests that took place on Sunday, March 17 and Monday, March 18 in Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo, Santa Marta in Matanzas and other territories in Cuba.
Those who will hardly like Carlos Varela’s new song are the island’s authorities and those who defend the status quo in force for decades, something predictable considering the end of the fragment that the artist shared on social networks:
“Don’t give it any more thought
your time has passed
like your old story.”
The topic received multiple comments of support and recognition. Another good part of Internet users limited themselves to thanking Varela for, once again, putting words and voice to the feelings of thousands.
“Your songs are the soundtrack of many Cubans. We love you,” can be read among the comments on the artist’s Instagram post.
Likewise, the singer Marichal stated that “Songs like this emerged during the time of the Berlin Wall. Our wall needs this song.” For her part, the Cuban emigrated actress Beatriz Valdés considered that the song is “the anthem we need.”
This is the second song that Carlos Varela releases in years of massive anti-government protests in Cuba. In 2021, the year of the largest demonstrations in the country’s history, he premiered “The Fool’s Fair,” which also dedicated harsh verses to the Cuban government.