Maria Tepozteca

Chavela Vargas' song 'Maria Tepozteca' is a poetic and mystical ode to a woman named Maria, who is deeply connected to the natural and spiritual world of Tepozteco, a region in Mexico known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that paint Maria as a powerful and enchanting figure, almost like a goddess of the land. Her 'pezón erecto' and 'zapote prieto' symbolize fertility and the earth, while her 'ojos de obsidiana' reflect a deep, ancient wisdom. The reference to her mother as 'tepalcate eterno' suggests a lineage that is eternal and unbreakable, rooted in the very soil of Tepozteco.

The song also explores the theme of desire and sensuality, as seen in the lines 'Luna tepozteca, te pintó tu cuerpo con deseos nuevos' and 'te mojas los muslos con el agua mansa de tus arroyuelos.' Here, the moon and the gentle streams are metaphors for the awakening of new desires and the intimate connection Maria has with the natural elements around her. The repeated caution to 'Ten cuidado, Maria Tepozteca' serves as a reminder of the powerful forces at play, both within her and in the world around her.

In the latter part of the song, Vargas introduces a sense of timelessness and transcendence. The lines 'Y le juro, María señora, Que no habrá ni ahora, ni antes, ni después' suggest that the experience and connection Maria has with her surroundings are beyond the constraints of time. The final lines, 'Que todo fue un sueño y se volvió canción,' encapsulate the ethereal and dreamlike quality of the entire narrative, turning Maria's story into a timeless song that resonates with the mystical and the real.