Ozomatli, a diverse, Los Angeles-based band known for incorporating various musical styles into their work, such as Chicano rock, reggae, Latin, hip hop, and funk, have also explored Día de los Muertos in their music. Their song “Cumbia de los Muertos,” or “Cumbia of Those who Have Passed” is a meaningful, socially conscious song that examines death, loss, violence, and social justice while evoking Gothic imagery.
The lyrics are as follows:
Aqui no existe la tristeza
Solo existe la alegriaes
El baile de los queridos
De los queridos del pasado
Mira como baila mi mama
Bailando con mi hermano del pasado
Sus espiritus se juntan bailando
Lleno de alegria y gozando
Cumbia, cumbia (repeat)
Sierta gente solo puede ver
Espiritus bailando entre la gente
Si pueden verlos bailando mis hermanos
Seran bendicidos entre los cielos
Mira como baila mi mama
Bailando con mi hermano del pasado
Sus espiritus se juntan bailando
Lleno de alegria y gozando
Cumbia, cumbia (repeat)
Chali’s rap:
As sure as your heart muscle rests in your chest cavity
We ask God to bless these festivities
Yet, this hostility felt between you and me stops
Opportunity given to spread unity
And be rhythmically wiping sadness clear
Reggae cumbia mixtures create this atmosphere
People packin cheer simply ’cause these songs show depth
Giving shouts to these victims of wrongful death
Now, soon as we’re rid of society’s small terrors
The sooner these teenagers don’t have to be pallbearers
And carry their pals nearer to graves premature the cure
Be mature by keeping you hearts pure
English translation of first two verses:
Sadness doesn’t exist here
Only happiness exists here
It’s the dance of the beloved
The beloved from the past
Look at how my mom dances
Dancing with my brother from the past
Their spirits joining together to dance
Full of happiness and enjoyment
Only certain people can see
The spirits dancing among us
They can see my brothers dancing
They will be blessed within the heavens
Look at how my mom dances
Dancing with my brother from the past
Their spirits joining together to dance
Full of happiness and enjoyment
Gothic imagery is evident throughout the lyrics, especially as death, spirits, and graves are mentioned multiple times. Dancing with the dead, communing with those who have passed, is also Gothic in nature.
Ozomatli also utilizes vivid imagery within the song that exemplifies Gothic themes. From lyrics such as “Look at my how my mom dances/Dancing with my brother from the past/Their spirits joining together to dance” and “As sure as your heart muscle rests in your chest cavity,” the words evoke a feeling of goriness.
In combining the tradition and culture of the Chican@/Latin@ while utilizing Gothic themes and imagery, Ozomatli and their song, “Cumbia de los Muertos,” have truly brought together the overarching theme of our course.
Works Cited:
< http://www.metrolyrics.com/cumbia-de-los-muertos-lyrics-ozomatli.html>