"Maria Lando" Performed by David Byrne Set to Iconic Images

Maria Lando

Words by Cesar Calvo
Performed by David Byrne

(English translation)

The dawn breaks like a statue
Like a winged statue spreading across the city
And the noon rings, a bell made of water
A golden singing bell that keeps us from feeling alone
And the night lifts its large chalice
Its large chalice, an early moon rising over the ocean

But for Maria, there is no dawn
But for Maria, there is no noon
But for Maria, there is no moon
She lifts her red goblet over the seas

Maria has no time, (Maria Lando) to even lift her eyes
To lift her eyes, (Maria Lando) broken from lack of sleep
Maria, broken from lack of sleep, (Maria Lando) and from suffering
Maria, suffering, (Maria Lando) only works
Maria works, and her work is for others

Maria Lando, Maria Lando always working
And her work is another’s
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This is a simple study of iconic and archetypical images
set to a beautiful song,
It is not intended to stir debate
or absurd comments
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This can be found on Luakabop’s
“Soul Of Black Peru”
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Lando is an Afro-Peruvian form of music.
Lando developed from a dance in Angola called londu that came with slaves when they arrived in Brazil. Hence, the Lando is a mix of both Spanish and African rhythms. It features a slower tempo and call and response vocalization. The signature instrument of the Lando is the cajon, a box-like drum. This instrument was improvised by West Africans, who had to give up their instruments when arriving in South America.