Lightloch's Domain

Today I was reminded of the time that I accidentally met Gerardo Arroyo, a renowned composer and musician of traditional Paraguayan folk songs, or Guaranías. One day in late August of 2007, then a missionary in Paraguay, I found myself walking along a a road of silty red sand in the heat of the day, looking for someone with whom to share my message.

Shortly thereafter, my companion and I came upon the home of an aged man who was sitting in the shade of a tree playing his guitar. As is custom for the country, one of us proceeded to clap at the gate in order to request entry. Kindly he responded by letting us enter and have a seat. Thankful to have a small respite from the day’s work, we proceeded to engage in friendly conversation and asked him to play us a few tunes.

Gladly he obliged, giving us the opportunity to hear a number of traditional Paraguayan folk songs (which often combine elements of both the Spanish and Guaraní languages). After talking further, we were surprised to learn that he was a professional musician and had recently recorded and published an entire album of twenty-four songs. He then sold me a copy (at a generous discount) for about five dollars and, after sharing our message and conversing some more, we bid him farewell and continued onward.

After searching the internet I have not been able to find much other information about Señor Arroyo, but I am pleased to introduce both him and his music to the internet so that he might gain at least a small portion of the recognition his skill and dedication rightly deserves. What a marvelous opportunity it was for me to meet this older man, who though stricken with years, found so much peace and fulfillment in his love of music. I will never forget the wonderful opportunity I had to spend some time getting to know him in the sub-tropical land that is Paraguay.

Without further ado, here is some of the information given by the album (translated):

“Musician and renowned composer of over a hundred compositions, [Gerardo Arroyo Ramirez] was born in Villa Oliva [Paraguay] on December 8, 1924. Some of his most widely known songs include, “Ensueño de claro lunar,” and ”Che nde rayhuha,” with lyrics by Cirilo R. Zayas. 

He was the founder and member of the band “Los hijos de la selva” with his brothers Esteban and Ramón Arroyo, along with harpists Cristino Baez Monges and Abel Sanchez Jimenez. Gerardo Arroyo, who currently resides in Villa Elisa, continues cultivating and sharing the music of Paraguay.”

Below I’ve included the song “Yo Nací en Asunción (Guarania),” composed my Gerardo Arroyo, for your listening pleasure.