Story Behind The Song

I came across a movie dedicated to the memory of Violeta Parra, a songwriter considered to be Chile's equivalent of Edith Piaf and Bob Dylan. It is entitled Violeta Went to Heaven. I watched it for the first time late on Saturday night, March 8th, 2014. Her most popular song is Gracias a la Vida (Thanks to Life) was, at one time, one of the most covered Latin American songs including a version by Joan Baez. Her music, art, life story and tragic death touched me in many ways. In addition to being a collector of Chilean folk songs and a songwriter, Violeta is a world-renowned artist in several different Mediums. Her works have been exhibited in the Louvre at a special one-person exhibit. This was just one of the shows honoring her talent that expanding her reputation throughout Europe and South America. I was overwhelmed by the extent of her creativity. After the movie ended, I sat in silence for quite a while then moved into my home studio and started putting together a first draft of the music and lyrics. I felt strongly that it was a song that needed to be played on a classical guitar. So, the next afternoon, while at a community wide garage sale, I found one for $40, no case. After tuning the guitar down a couple steps, everything fell into place, adding the texture I was looking for. I finished the song at Midnight on March 20th, 2014. Violeta is quite a bit different than the other songs I have written but it seems, at least to me, to capture her spirit and the loss I felt by her passing even after only knowing her from a movie of her life. RpT

Song Description

I came across a movie dedicated to the memory of Violeta Parra, a songwriter considered to be Chile's equivalent of Edith Piaf and Bob Dylan. It is entitled Violeta Went to Heaven. Violeta is quite a bit different than the other songs I have written but it seems, at least to me, to capture her spirit and the loss I felt by her passing even after only knowing her from a movie of her life. RpT

Lyrics

Violeta - Sunset in your eyes
Violeta - Clouds in crimson skies
As you paint your pictures with love and light
For all the world to see
Deep within you struggle and fight - The demons in your life

Violeta - Storm Clouds in your eyes
Violeta - Expert of disguise
You can hide the pain of love and loss - So very few will see
But you can't stop love's cruelty - From tearing up your life

I don't speak your language - Still I understand
All your pain and anguish - Is like blood upon your hands

Violeta - Death has closed your eyes
Violeta - It comes as no surprise
That so many years have come and gone
Your voice lingers on
Sands of time are playing your song - Thank you for your life

© 2014 Richard Paul Thomas
Captured Rainbow Music ASCAP