Cantos Cautivos
Trim the Sails (Brazas a ceñir)
- Music piece by:Luis Mella Toro
- Testimony by:César Montiel
- Experience in:
The Navy sailors made us sing every day, when we got up very early to raise the flag. We, as the squaddies, had to sing military songs, their songs.
One of the songs was ‘Brazas a ceñir’ (Trim the Sails), the hymn of the Army. We had to sing loud and spirited, as they said. We also had to sing the anthem ‘Lili Marlene’. Those who didn’t would receive a kick in the butt or a kick of the rifle.
When I listen to these anthems, I instantly remember Puchuncaví.
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Published on: 18 June 2022
with resolve, trim the sails
make good use of the breeze from the South
that sets us forth swiftly.
The storm approaches
the young ones to be stowed
the course is always the same
I want to imagine
a port to anchor.
Sailor, do not falter
sail with a song
far away a thousand fortunes await you
that you will not be able to forget.
You must not stain your name
giant of the wide sea
this is the slogan, sailor
fulfil your duty
and you will prevail.
Sailboats are my passion
emblem of my flag
it is your stronghold sail
of unmatched patriotism.
With you wild sea
I want to start the fight
in my soul, an ardent feeling
and always triumphant
over the storm.
Related testimonies:
- The Black King (El rey negro) Sergio Vesely, Campamento de Prisioneros Melinka, Puchuncaví, 1975
One cold winter night of 1975, the small clinic of Melinka, in the Puchuncaví Detention Camp, became the setting for a touching story.
- National Anthem of Chile Boris Chornik Aberbuch, Campamento de Prisioneros Melinka, Puchuncaví, March 1975
The Puchuncaví detention camp’s daily routine included mandatory participation in the ceremonies of raising and taking down the Chilean flag on the flagpole at the entrance to the camp.
- Dreams of my Imprisonment (Sueños de mi encierro) Mario Patricio Cordero Cedraschi, Cárcel de Valparaíso, Winter of 1975
I’d spent two years in prison and there was no end in sight for my time in jail. I observed during visiting hours that many prisoners had children, a wife, family.
- Ode to Joy (Himno a la alegría) Luis Madariaga, Cárcel de Valparaíso, 1974 - 1976
In prison, we would sing the 'Ode to Joy' when a comrade was released or sent to exile.
- To Sing by Improvising (Pa’ cantar de un improviso) Claudio Enrique Durán Pardo (Kila Chico), Campamento de Prisioneros Melinka, Puchuncaví, June 1975
We made a Venezuelan cuatro from a large plank of wood attached to one of the walls of the "ranch" where we ate.
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