Cantos Cautivos
Trim the Sails (Brazas a ceñir)
- Music piece by:Luis Mella Toro
- Testimony by:César Montiel
- Experience in:
The Navy sailors made us sing every day, when we got up very early to raise the flag. We, as the squaddies, had to sing military songs, their songs.
One of the songs was ‘Brazas a ceñir’ (Trim the Sails), the hymn of the Army. We had to sing loud and spirited, as they said. We also had to sing the anthem ‘Lili Marlene’. Those who didn’t would receive a kick in the butt or a kick of the rifle.
When I listen to these anthems, I instantly remember Puchuncaví.
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Published on: 18 June 2022
with resolve, trim the sails
make good use of the breeze from the South
that sets us forth swiftly.
The storm approaches
the young ones to be stowed
the course is always the same
I want to imagine
a port to anchor.
Sailor, do not falter
sail with a song
far away a thousand fortunes await you
that you will not be able to forget.
You must not stain your name
giant of the wide sea
this is the slogan, sailor
fulfil your duty
and you will prevail.
Sailboats are my passion
emblem of my flag
it is your stronghold sail
of unmatched patriotism.
With you wild sea
I want to start the fight
in my soul, an ardent feeling
and always triumphant
over the storm.
Related testimonies:
- Lament for the Death of Augusto the Dog (Lamento a la muerte del perro Augusto) Sergio Vesely, Campamento de Prisioneros Melinka, Puchuncaví, 1975
Augusto the dog (not to be confused with the journalist Augusto Olivares, affectionately nicknamed 'Augusto the Dog', who was murdered in the Presidential Palace on
11 September 1973 ), was the mascot of the political prisoners held at the Ritoque concentration camp, and accompanied his master when the military junta decided to close that prison and transfer the inmates to the neighbouring Puchuncaví concentration camp. - Ode to Joy (Himno a la alegría) Luis Madariaga, Cárcel de Valparaíso, 1974 - 1976
In prison, we would sing the 'Ode to Joy' when a comrade was released or sent to exile.
- Today Was Visitors’ Day (Hoy fue día de visitas) Sergio Vesely, Cárcel de Valparaíso, 1976
Visitors’ day was an exceptional day that broke the monotonous routine of all the other days of the week.
- Song of a Middle-Class Man (Canción de un hombre medio) Sergio Vesely, Cárcel de Valparaíso, 1976
In our political discussions, we always spoke disdainfully of the middle class. In the view of the Marxist ideologues in prison, that sector of society supported the dictatorship and it was necessary to reverse that trend.
- How Can I Describe This to You? (Cómo hacer para darte una idea) Sergio Vesely, Cárcel de Valparaíso, 1976
This is one of two songs I wrote in prison for my beloved Graciela. In the song I tried to draw her closer to me, describing my everyday world and my experience of life as a captive.
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