A Guataca

“Guataca” is a spade or shovel, used to toss and turn the earth. Due to its relative ease of manufacture and widespread use in agriculture, the metal implement naturally became a percussion instrument, integrated with the singing of daily life. With its resemblance to the human ear, to play “A Guataca” became slang meaning “play by ear” (“by heart” = from memory / without a script). The finale song embodies the transcendence from the earthbound to the spiritual, the everyday and the sublime. The theme is reincarnation and rebirth, the transition from the old to the new.

I awakened from a dream to receive your message. “Go back to where you were created to discover your future.” Like the blossoming flower, I regress to my roots. I am a poor pilgrim returning to my land. Out of the dense, emerald forest and across the turquoise ocean, I arrive at the coast of my ancestors, and from the old comes a new sensation. When I feel the earth between my toes, I am blessed and saved.

Out of the night, I fly towards the light. I spread my wings, and I flex my claws. If I could reach you by the morning to feel your warm embrace, I would endure the dawning, I would pay whatever price. The stars in the darkness are the footprints of my reality. My drum is the ear of God, it opens the door to Heaven. When I play the rhythms, I let the immortal spirits guide my hands. Listen to my music of skins and sticks.

By ear, I play without a guide. I unload the earth with my song. The beats that form in my heart. Holy Spirit, my religion. By ear, I sing my song. With attack, I dance my passion. The words that give me such reason. The life force, my benediction. 🤍🌽

Listen here:
https://soundcloud.com/redandblackmusic/snippet-12-a-guataca
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