Que la tortilla se vuelva (o La hierba de los caminos)

Rolando Alarcón's song 'Que la tortilla se vuelva (o La hierba de los caminos)' serves as a poignant critique of social injustice and economic exploitation. The lyrics use vivid imagery and metaphor to highlight the plight of the oppressed, particularly the workers and the poor, under the hands of the wealthy and powerful. The song's title itself, which translates to 'may the tortilla turn over,' symbolizes a desire for revolutionary change, where the current social order is flipped, giving power and sustenance to those who have been deprived.

The first verse uses the metaphor of grass being trampled by travelers to depict how the laborer's wife is exploited by the wealthy. This imagery is powerful in its simplicity, illustrating the ease with which the powerful can oppress the vulnerable. Similarly, the tomato in the second verse symbolizes natural resources or the fruits of labor, which are harvested and exploited by those in power without regard to their origin or the labor involved. The addition of the tomato being sent to Caracas points to the global nature of such exploitation.

The song also touches on the specific exploitation of natural resources, as seen in the verses about copper mining. The 'yanqui ladrón' (thieving Yankee) represents foreign exploitation and the global capitalist system that benefits from the resources and labor of poorer nations. Alarcón's call for divine intervention to reverse the fortunes of the rich and the poor underscores a deep yearning for justice and equity, a theme that resonates with many who struggle under similar conditions.