An Old Love Tune (Tonada del viejo amor)

Music piece by:
Eduardo Falú and Jaime Dávalos
Testimony by:
Luis Cifuentes Seves
Experience in:
Campamento de Prisioneros Chacabuco, November 1973 - February 1974

The Los de Chacabuco band, created and conducted by Ángel Parra, performed this zambaTraditional musical genre and dance from Argentina. by Eduardo Falú and Jaime Davalos at the camp’s weekly shows.

My personal memory of it is that I sang these verses as a solo: “No tengo miedo al invierno / con tu recuerdo lleno de sol” (I'm not afraid of winter / with my memory of you full of sunshine).

This song can be found on the secret recording made of the farewell show organised for Ángel by Alberto Corvalan. It is called 'Zamba argentina' on the vinyl record released in Italy and on the CD released in Chile.


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Published on: 19 February 2015

Clandestine recording made by political prisoners in Chacabuco in 1974.

And I've never forgotten
in the sand you wrote to me
the wind erased it
and I'm so alone gazing at the sea.

How lovely when once
under the midday sun
your mouth opened in a kiss
like an apricot full of honey.

[Chorus]
What injury to your mouth
what hurt without pain
I have no fear of winter
with your memory full of sunshine.

I would like to see you again
smiling in front of the foam
your hair loose in the wind
like a torrent of wheat and light.

I know it will not return
that summer when you loved me
forgetfulness is broad and dark
and autumn enters the heart.

[Chorus]



Related testimonies:

  • Filistoque's Cueca (Cueca del Filistoque)  Víctor Canto Fuenzalida, Campamento de Prisioneros Chacabuco, June 1974

    Filistoque is a real-life person in all his mighty height (1.90 metres tall). I always remember him laughing. In Chacabuco, we shared a house for nearly ten months. Around him, you were never allowed to become depressed or get into a stew over our situation.

  • Lucky Devil (El suertúo)  Luis Cifuentes Seves, Campamento de Prisioneros Chacabuco, November 1973 - February 1974

    This cueca was composed at Chacabuco sometime between November 1973 and February 1974 and was sung by Los de Chacabuco, of which Víctor Canto and I were members.

  • A Cocky Fellow (El puntúo)  Luis Cifuentes Seves, Campamento de Prisioneros Chacabuco, November 1973 - February 1974

    This cueca was composed in Chacabuco between November 1973 and February 1974, and was sung by the band Los de Chacabuco, to which Víctor Canto and I belonged.

  • The Crux of the Matter (La madre del cordero)  Servando Becerra Poblete, Campamento de Prisioneros Chacabuco, 9 November 1973 - 10 November 1974

    I recited this poem in the National Stadium. I continued to do so in the Chacabuco prison camp, earning the nickname of “Venancio” from my fellow prisoners.

  • The Crux of the Matter (La madre del cordero)  Servando Becerra Poblete, Campamento de Prisioneros, Estadio Nacional, 9 November 1973 - 10 November 1974

    I recited this poem in the National Stadium. I continued to do so in the Chacabuco prison camp, earning the nickname of “Venancio” from my fellow prisoners.

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