Musicalized Dialogue between Two Old Prisoners (Diálogo musicalizado entre dos ancianos presos)

Music piece by:
Sergio Vesely
Testimony by:
Sergio Vesely
Detention in:
Campamento de Prisioneros Melinka, Puchuncaví, 1975

At Puchuncaví Detention Camp (Melinka) I shared a cell with an elderly man from Lota, where he had spent his entire life working in the coal mines.

I was struck by the way he spoke. It was very different from the “Chilean” way of a twenty-something-year-old from the capital like me. When he talked to our fellow prisoners, I could barely understand a word he said. I composed this song in the cell by transcribing some of our conversations.


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Published on: 22 June 2015


What’s the matter with you, buddy, why don't you cumpa*?
I don’t cumpo, buddy. But nothing’s wrong.
What’s the matter with you, buddy, why don't you cumpa?
Dry your face, it’s wet.

I don’t cumpo, buddy. But nothing’s wrong.
What’s the matter with you, buddy, why don't you cumpa?
What’s the matter? I’ve been behind bars a long time,
I’m in the slammer
and no one cares.




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