"El canto tiene sentido cuando palpita en las venas de que morirá cantando las verdades verdaderas" (Song makes sense when it pumps through the veins of one who will die singing the truth) - Víctor Jara 'Manifesto' 1973

The November 3, 1970 victory of Salvador Allende as the first democratically elected socialist/Marxist president of Chile was a historic one. And one man in particular served as a voice and soundtrack of that time of hope, radical changes and later tragedy. His name was Víctor Jara. Víctor even wrote the anthem of Allende's campaign, "Venceremos", "We Shall Triumph" an ode to the power of the people and their will to defeat imperialism. Through his pen, voice and guitar, Víctor would sing of justice, the right to live in peace, the suffering of Chile's poor (something he personally experienced), call out government officials, or simply sing of his principles, ideals and how much he loved his family. Víctor Jara was courage, hope, love, justice, memory, truth, a voice to all those who have been abused and exploited by empire, not just in Chile, but in the whole world. No matter where he went, Víctor seemed to have a light that drew people to him. Perhaps it was the radiant light he emanated that stirred up such hatred and rage in Pinochet's soldiers. Or was it the magnificent beauty, candor, sincerity and sentiment of his voice, that led them to take his life from him, so viciously. Some things are simply incomprehensible and unfathomable, the murder of Víctor Jara is one of them. However, in their quest to silence him and extinguish his light, they inadvertently created an immortal star who will shine on forever and whose voice will always be remembered and celebrated.

¡Que Viva y Venceremos, Víctor Jara!!!!

***TRIGGER WARNING*** For those who do not wish to hear the details of Víctor's death fast forward: 1:51:13 - 1:56:17

Songs:

Manifesto

Te Recuerdo Amanda

La Luna Siempre Era Muy Linda

La Beata

Paloma Quiero Contarte

Camilo Torres

A Luis Emilio Recabarren

Preguntas por Puerto Montt

A Desalambrar

Ni Chicha Ni Limoná

A La Molina No Voy Más

Vamos por Ancho Camino

A Cuba

El Alma Llena de Banderas

Plegaria a un Labrador (live)

Zamba del Che (live)

Preguntitas Sobre Dios (live)

El Arado

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz