Los Machetes

Mercedes Sosa's song 'Los Machetes' is a powerful tribute to the resilience and strength of laborers, particularly those working in the sugarcane fields. The machete, a tool essential for cutting sugarcane, becomes a symbol of both the physical labor and the inner strength required to endure the harsh conditions of this work. The repeated imagery of machetes moving through the streets and fields highlights the relentless nature of the labor and the workers' determination to overcome their struggles.

The lyrics evoke a sense of urgency and unrest, with the machetes 'breaking the anxiety' and 'machacando su compás' (pounding their rhythm) through the night. This suggests a continuous, almost rhythmic struggle against the hardships faced by the workers. The reference to the machete as 'half of this executioner's arm' underscores the brutal reality of the labor, where the tool becomes an extension of the worker's body, necessary for survival but also a source of relentless toil.

Sosa's song also touches on the broader social and economic implications of this labor. The line 'Qué canción tendrá la azúcar, Qué querrá el cañaveral' (What song will sugar have, What will the cane field want) questions the purpose and value of the labor, hinting at the exploitation and dehumanization of the workers. The 'fury of the machete' turning into 'salt in the man' symbolizes the transformation of their anger and pain into a tangible, bitter product. Through her evocative lyrics and powerful delivery, Mercedes Sosa sheds light on the plight of the laborers, celebrating their resilience while also calling attention to the injustices they face.