Dominican Music and Migration: Anthems of the Diaspora

Many of the merengues (the popular music used in the songs) are narratives of the immigrants’ perception and “articulate the contrasting aspects of the migrant experience: the allure of wealth versus the dangerous and difficult circumstances of both the journey and life at the destination” (Gill, 2002, p.12). [1]

This song by Juan Luis Guerra (1995)[2] is a genuine example of my comments on VISA image:

It was five o’ clock in the morning.
A seminarian, a laborer,
With a thousand documents of solvency ,that do not make them honest.
It was seven o’ clock in the morning. Lined up at the slaughterhouse, because each one has his price, looking for a visa for a dream
The sun burning their insides, an application form of consolation, with a two-by-four inch photo that melts away in silence.
It was nine in the morning
Santo Domingo, January 8th . With patience that was ending, as there are no visas for a dream.
Seeking a visa of cement and limestone
Seeking a visa; never to return.
Necessity, how it enrages me!
A powerful blow, what else can I do? To be shipwrecked, food for the sea.

This song addresses the sense of pride and achievement many immigrants experience as they know they are perceived highly back home (“He made it” “He/She lives Up north”). This is largely accompanied by expectations of the people living in the homeland (of what she or he will bring)

Everyone congratulates you, when you come from over there. He came with seven suitcases, the man arrived loaded. . .
What has New York got, that makes everyone look so good?
And what did you bring me? A pair of sneakers.
And what did you bring me?A polo shirt.
And what did you bring me? Two boxes of corn flakes. (Pochy y su Cocoband, 1999)

[1] Gill H. (2002). Querido Emigrante: Musical Perspectives of Dominican Migration
[2] Song originally in spanish