Most US readers will simply think of President Chávez as a politician. He was and still is far more than that. He is being called the “redeemer of the poor” in Latin America and even though this may sound too religious to US ears and understanding, it is a true perception of how he is regarded after his untimely death by the humble and poor majority in Venezuela and throughout the Patria Grande, or Big Homeland, of Latin America.

Hugo Chávez was a boy from the countryside, the Venezuelan Plains (los llanos) born in Barinas state, a long way from the bright lights of Caracas in the 1950´s. As such he grew up with plains music (música llanera) and even though he did not play an instrument such as cuatro or arpa, the traditional instruments of Venezuelan plains music, he has a more than acceptable voice.

Chávez put heart and soul into his singing. He enjoyed performing in public for his supporters since he was actively and personally contributing to the revival of Venezuelan culture which had been pushed into backwaters by rock music, cable and satellite television as well the proliferation of hundreds of FM radio stations managed by people who wanted to be “modern” (i.e. fans of US culture).

It is important to appreciate that plains music is a reflection of the Venezuelan soul and comes from “deepest Venezuela”. There is a saying that a plainsman who does not sing must be deaf and dumb! This is the block from which President Chávez was hewn and together with declaiming poetry about historical revolutionary figures such as Bolívar and his great-grandfather Maisanta, the last man on horseback, Chávez’ enthusiasm virtually single-handedly inspired the revival of this unique musical genre.

We present President Chávez singing “Motivos llaneros” (the Pull or Call of the Plains) at a meeting of students in Cojedes state during the 2012 election campaign, when he was sick with cancer, only about 4 months before he crossed over. On March 8th 2013, Cristobal Jimenez performed the same song at President Chávez funeral. Cristobal was a good friend of the President and is perhaps the best or certainly the highest profile coplero (singer from the plains) in the country at the moment,

The song was written by Ángel Ávila from the plains state of Guárico. Ávila, who died in December 2010, was a simple man who loved the Venezuelan plains and sang about them with flowing verses and a notable sentiment. He was particularly known for his landscape descriptions as we can see in “Motives llaneros”. His songs are an open book of musical poetry dedicated to the inspiration of the simple life and reflections brought forth by the vast extensions of untainted spaces and the feelings evoked by them and their legends.

- Arturo Rosales, Columnist
Writing from Caracas
Axis of Logic

Motivos llaneros Por: Ángel Ávila

The pull or call of the Plains By Ángel Ávila

Tu sabes que soy tu hijo llanura venezolana y en mi mente se retrata tu belleza soberana cuando voy por tus caminos la soledad me acompaña le presto mucha atención al susurrar de las palmas que juguetean con el viento como novios que se aman

You know that I’m your son O Venezuelan plains. And in my mind I envision your soveriegn beauty when I’m wending your ways Loneliness acompanies me. I pay great attention to the whispering of the palms which play in the wind like lovers lost in a tryst

El rojo sol de la tarde sobre mi llano coplero borda paisajes de encanto pinta de gris el estero nubes de color azul cruzan el cielo llanero una bandadas de garzas van con rumbo hacia el garcero llega la noche serena y tiende su manto negro

The red sun of the evening setting on the singing plains lines the landscape with magic, painting the estuary gray. Blue colored clouds cross the plains’ sky and a flock of cranes are flying to their nesting place. The serene night arrives and spreads its black cloak.

Tu sabes que soy tu hijo llanura venezolana y en mi mente se retrata tu belleza soberana cuando voy por tus caminos la soledad me acompaña le presto mucha atención al susurrar de las palmas que juguetean con el viento como novios que se aman

You know that I’m your son O Venezuelan plains. And in my mind I envision your soveriegn beauty. When I’m wending your ways. loneliness acompanies me. I pay great attention to the whispering of the palms which play in the wind like lovers lost in a tryst

Adiós mi llano querido me voy pero pronto vuelvo a recorrer las sabanas, para avivar los recuerdos que dejaste en mi mente desde que estaba pequeño cuando estoy lejos de ti con más cariño te quiero fuiste mi mejor maestro en la escuela de copleros

Goodbye my beloved plains. I’m leaving but will return soon to walk the deep savannah and relive the memories you left in my mind since I was a youngster. And when I’m far from you I love you with more affection. You were my finest teacher in the singer-songwriter school

Translated by Arturo Rosales

¡Chávez vive, la lucha sigue!

READ MORE ANALYSIS AND ESSAYS BY
AXIS OF LOGIC COLUMNIST, ARTURO ROSALES