Pueblero de Allá Ité

Mercedes Sosa's "Pueblero de Allá Ité" is a song that evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and affection for a small hometown. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a place where the night sky is filled with stars that seem to dance to the rhythm of chamamé, a traditional folk music style from the region of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. The reference to the night sky being free of sorrows suggests a place of comfort and joy, where the simple pleasures of life are celebrated.

The song continues to describe the rustic and natural beauty of the town, with its dirt roads, bamboo thickets, and creeping vines. The children playing in the streets and the consistent, warm greetings from the townspeople reflect a close-knit community where everyone is familiar and life moves at a slower pace. Sosa's lyrics emphasize the simplicity and authenticity of the people and their way of life, which is deeply intertwined with the natural environment.

The final verses of the song touch on the changing seasons, with winter bringing the cold of the lapacho trees and summer twisting with thorny shrubs, sugarcane, and the loud, distinctive cry known as sapucay. These elements ground the song in the specific geography and climate of the region, further highlighting the connection between the people and their land. Overall, "Pueblero de Allá Ité" is a heartfelt tribute to a place that has left an indelible mark on the singer's heart, a place that represents home in its most fundamental sense.