Singer, lyricist and composer Clotilde Arias (1901-1959) was born in Iquitos, Perú, on the shores of the Amazon, and went to the USA in 1924 to study music. She is most known for her composition of the song Huiracocha, popular in Peru, and her translation into lyrical English of the U.S. national anthem - the first official, state paid Spanish translation of the anthem.
Clotilde supported herself by playing the piano for silent movies. She composed the famous Hymn of the Americas, and wrote the original Spanish lyrics for a number of popular songs that have become well-known in translation ("Rum and Coca-Cola", "You are Everything to Me"). Her song Huiracocha (or Viracocha) is named after a god of the Incas, and retells the legend that he emerged from the depths of Lake Titicaca to create the sun, moon and stars, and breathed life into Allcavica, ancestor of the Inca people. According to Clotilde Arias’s own program note, this song is “dedicated to the Indian, the Forgotten Man of the Americas”. It tells of the "sadness of a race calling to the ancient god of their forefathers, who no longer hears his children".
Tribute
Tokens of Clotilde's life work and accomplishments are part of the Smithsonian Institute's "Hispanic Heritage Month." A performance of Huiracocha is also available for viewing.