They Dance Alone

Why are these women here dancing on their own ? Why is there this sadness in their eyes ? Why are the soldiers here Their faces fixed like stone ? I can't see what it is that they despise

CHORUS They're dancing with the missing They're dancing with the dead They dance with the invisible ones Their anguish is unsaid

They're dancing with their fathers They're dancing with their sons They're dancing with their husbands They dance alone They dance alone

It's the only form of protest they're allowed I've seen their silent faces They scream so loud If they were to speak these words They'd go missing too Another woman on the torture table What else can they do?

One day we'll dance on their graves One day we'll sing our freedom One day we'll laugh in our joy And we'll dance (twice)

Ellas danzan con los desaparecidos Danzan con los muertos Danzan con amores invisibles Con silenciosa angustia Danzan con sus padres, con sus hijos, con sus esposos Ellas danzan solas, danzan solas

Hey Mr Pinochet, you've sown a bitter crop It's foreign money that supports you One day the money's going to stop No wages for your torturers No budget for your guns Can you think of your own mother Dancin' with her invisible son?

They Dance Alone

Sting’s comment

“On the Amnesty Tour of 1986 the musicians were introduced to former political prisoners, victims of torture and imprisonment without trial, from all over the world. These meetings had a strong effect on all of us. It's one thing to read about torture, but to speak to a victim brings you a step closer to the reality that is so frighteningly pervasive. We were all deeply affected. Thousands of people have "disappeared" in Chile, victims of murder squads, security forces, the police, the army. Imprisonment without trial and torture are commonplace. The "Cueca" is a traditional Chilean courting dance. The "Cueca Solo", or the dance alone, is performed publicly by the wives, daughters and mothers of the "disappeared". Often, they dance with photographs of their loved ones pinned to their clothes. It is a symbolic gesture of protest and grief in a country where democracy doesn't need to be "defended" so much as exercised.”

Sting’s comment

Answer the questions:

1. What was the Amnesty Tour of 1986? a) a sporting event for charity. b) a round-the-world trip for prisoners. c) world-wide concerts on behalf of a human rights organization.

2. Who did the musicians meet? a) former prisoners. b) ex-politicians. c) torturers.

3. After these meetings, the musicians a) read about torture. b) were marked emotionally. c) took effective steps.

4. In this context, "disappeared" means a) escaped. b) been killed. c) got lost.

5. "Courting" is connected with a) love. b) sport. c) the law.

6. During these dances, the women a) carry in their hands photographs of their loved ones. b) destroy photographs of their loved ones. c) wear photographs of their loved ones.

7. In Chile, according to Sting, democracy a) is exercised. b) is defended. c) is neither exercised nor defended.

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The Song

A. Are these statements right or wrong? Justify by quoting the song. 1. The women feel lonely and unhappy. 2. The soldiers feel pity for them. 3. The women shout loudly to express their suffering. 4. They can speak without being afraid of the consequences. 5. The future will be better for the women. 6. Mr. Pinochet is helped by other countries. 7. They give him agricultural aid to grow crops. 8. This situation will not go on for ever.

B. Answer the following questions: 1. List examples of the BE + V-ING present and the simple present in the song. 2. Which form expresses the women's perception of an invisible spiritual world? 3. Which form describes the narrator’s perception of the physical reality set before his eyes?

The VIDEO CLIP

1. Does this song easily lend itself to being turned into a video clip? Give at least two reasons. 2. Explain how the visual elements enhance the song.

Placing adjectives & Adverbs

The following simple sentences are based on the song They Dance Alone. Make them more elaborate by adding the adjectives or adverbs proposed in the correct place in the sentence:

1. The soldiers' faces are full of hate. (stony, quite)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. The musicians are affected. (all, visiting, deeply)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. The women are dancing alone. (sad, Chilean)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. They are trying to picture their relatives. (desperately, missing)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. They aren't allowed other forms of protest. (unfortunately, any)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. If they spoke, they would be punished. (simply, no doubt, severely)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. However, one day they will gain revenge. (in the future, sweet)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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