Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a stark, terrifying picture of an unstoppable, violent force descending upon vulnerable communities. A "terrible greyhound" and a "pack unleashes itself," initiating a brutal assault. The repeated, desperate question, "Ay que haremos" ("Oh, what will we do?"), echoes a profound sense of helplessness.
This isn't just random violence; it's a targeted, systematic "exterminating" of specific groups, from "dark-skinned children" to "Chileans," "Mexicans," and "Panamanians." The aggressors are depicted as "wolves of San Francisco," driven by a ruthless pursuit of "blood and gold." This stark contrast between the predatory invaders and their unsuspecting victims, often caught "in the middle of their dream," amplifies the tragedy.
The lyric's power lies in its chilling animalistic imagery. The "terrible greyhound" and the "pack unleashes itself" immediately establish the aggressors as relentless, primal hunters. This dehumanizing portrayal of the attackers, coupled with the relentless repetition of phrases like "Ya parte la cabalgata" ("The cavalry/procession is already leaving"), creates a suffocating sense of inevitable doom. The simple, direct language makes the brutal actions—"beat the women," "burn the sheds"—feel even more immediate and horrifying.
Ultimately, the lyrics resonate through their raw portrayal of profound regret and displacement. The lament, "Maldita sea la hora" ("Cursed be the hour"), and the poignant question, "Y para qué nos vinimos / De nuestro Valparaíso" ("And why did we come / From our Valparaíso?"), reveal a deep yearning for a lost home and a questioning of past choices. This personal anguish, set against the backdrop of widespread destruction and the repeated, desperate cry of "Ay que haremos," makes the narrative feel both intimately tragic and universally resonant of communities facing overwhelming, destructive forces.
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