Texts by Atahualpa Yupanqui

Atahualpa Yupanqui (Héctor Roberto Chavero) (1908-1992).

Born in Argentina. At the age of thirteen he adopts the pseudonym Atahualpa that refers to the last Inca emperor. Later he joins to this name Yupanqui, to signify, according to the translation from Quechua: "Ata", to come; "Hu", from far away; "Allpa", earth; and "Yupanqui", say and tell.

In 1932, he participates in a tentative rebellion organized by the brothers Eduardo, Roberto and Mario Kennedy, of the Unión Cívica Radical, in the province of Entre Ríos, to overthrow the government of Justo. (In 1930, José Félix Uriburu had headed a military coup overthrowing the president Yrigoyen, and in 1932 the chief of the army General Augustín P. Justo had assumed the office of President.) The insurrection is crushed and Atahualpa Yupanqui goes to exile in Uruguay. With a general amnesty declared, in 1934, he returns to the country. In 1945, he becomes member of the Partido Comunista de Argentina. Eight times he suffers detention during the Peronist regime. In 1950 he passes over to Uruguay and from there to Europe. In 1952, at his return to Argentina, he distances himself from the PCA. In 1956, the Peronism having been overthrown, he is persecuted as well by the anti-Peronist military. In 1966-1967, his renewed visit to Europe represents the beginning of his exile. He dies in France.

The Miner's Baguala

Work, I Want Work

Plantation Song

The End of the Harvesting

Just some questions

Enough