Lyrics of the Week

Panamanian-born musician/activist/actor Reuben Blades has said one of his career ambitions is to run for presidency of Panama (a country in dire need of a new leader these days). But until democracy makes bigger inroads there, Blades has been content to speak out through his music. His latest album (and first all-English production) “Nothing but the Truth,” offers more political comment, including an Iran-Contra spoof, “Ollie’s Doo-Wop.” Perhaps the most outspoken song is “In Salvador,” a reggae-style cautionary tale which Blades dedicates to Herbert Anaya, head of Salvador’s Human Rights Commission, who was killed in broad daylight last year as he was taking his children to school. It goes in part:

“Death squad men can walk and sing the way you do,

They can tell a joke and smile at girls,

Men who kill have heroes that play soccer too,

And argue with their kids about the world,

But right or wrong, they’ll hunt you down,

And then go home to sleep next to their gun,

No one can protect your life in Salvador,

Judges that condemn you have no names,

Could it be the gentleman that lives next door,

Or the the guy who goes with you to work?”