Maria(Landó)
Performed by David Byrne
Words by Cesar Calvo
Music by Chabuca Granda
... Maria (Lando)...
The dawn breaks like a statue
Like a winged statue spreading across the city
And the noon rings, a bell made of water
A golden singing bell that keeps us from feeling alone
And the night lifts its large chalice
Its large chalice, an early moon rising over the ocean
But for Maria, there is no dawn
But for Maria, there is no noon
But for Maria, there is no moon
She lifts her red goblet over the seas
Maria has no time, (Maria Lando) to even lift her eyes
To lift her eyes, (Maria Lando) broken from lack of sleep
Maria, broken from lack of sleep, (Maria Lando) and from suffering
Maria, suffering, (Maria Lando) only works
Maria works, and her work is for others
Maria Lando, Maria Lando always working
And her work is anothers.....
This track is from the, Luakabop, record label, titled, "The Soul of Black Peru"....
This is secret music — that's been hidden for years in the coastal towns and barrios of Peru. Its the music of the black Peruvian communities. Black Peruvians? Yes, Peru was involved in the slave trade too — and this wonderful, funky music is part of that legacy.
This music survived (barely) within the black communities, and was not accepted outside of those communities until the spark of black pride, ignited in the 1960s, caught fire in the 70s and 80s and in the 90s, this music became the pride of Peru — cassettes of it are sold on the street alongside techno, Megadeth and Andean folk groups. And while it maintains its funky roots, it has attracted the creative talents of the best contemporary musicians, writers and poets who have furthered the evolution, growth and spread of this music. Its not a secret anymore — and its yours now too.
The three main dances in Afro-Peruvian circles are the Landó, Samba Malato and the Alcatraz. Toro Mata, Son de los Diablos, and Zamacueca are also dances.
Tags: Maria Lando Byrne Cesar Calvo Chabuca Grande Soul Black Peru African Slave Trade Icons Religion Music Arts Humanities Archetypes Beauty Working Catholic Virgin Mary Mother Peace Aliens
