Lyricist and composer Clotilde Arias (1901-1959) was born in Iquitos, Perú, on the shores of the Amazon, and went to the USA in 1923 to study music and with aspirations of a promising future. She is most known for her composition of the song Huiracocha, popular in Peru and sung worldwide, and her translation into lyrical Spanish of the U.S. National Anthem - requisitioned by the Department of State, becoming the only official translation.

Clotilde's artistic talents in music, painting, and composing emerged early in Iquitos - including playing for the silent movies - achieving scholastic and artistic recognition, with numerous honors. Her developed perfect pitch and exceptional ability to sight read made her a highly sought accompanist, a talent that would favor her later in life.

Amongst her numerous compositions, Huiracocha may be the best known. The title is named after a god of the Incas, retelling the legend that he emerged from the depths of Lake Titicaca to create the sun, moon and stars, and to breath life into Allcavica, ancestor of the Inca people. According to Clotilde Arias' 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".

Clotilde composed other serious classical songs, including Idilio Roto (Broken Idyll), and many popular style songs of the 1930's, some of which she sold door to door to help support her family. Later she was to collaborate with notable composers and writers of which include Marjorie Harper, Andy Razaf, Albert Gamse, and Irving Caesar. Best known were her Spanish lyrics to song hits "Rum and Coca-Cola", English lyrics by Morey Amsterdam, and "Managua Nicaragua", English lyrics by Albert Gamse.

Tribute

A December 9th 2006 performance of Huiracocha was performed at London's Barbican Hall by famed tenor Juan Diego Flórez

Juan Diego Flórez

Juan Diego Flórez is a Peruvian operatic tenor, particularly known for his roles in bel canto operas. On June 4, 2007, he received his country's highest decoration, the Gran Cruz de la Orden del Sol del Perú....

. A separate performance of Huiracocha is also available for viewing.

Clotilde's lyrical Spanish translation of the Star Spangled Banner is on display in the Star Spangled Banner exhibit at the National Museum of American History. An exhibit is also planned with a display of her cultural achievements in the arts and writings at the Albert H. Small Documents Gallery in the spring of 2012.

List of Works

List of Works submitted to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

TITLE	COMPOSER(s)	PUBLISHER	AUTHOR
The Star Spangled Banner	Francis Scott Key Francis Scott Key Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".-Life:...	N/A	Clotilde Arias Official Spanish Translation
The Moon is Yellow (El Amor Llamo)	Ahlert-Lesli	Bregman, Vocco & Conn Inc	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Que Capricho Loco	Jaime Yamin	Caribbean Music Company	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Yo Nunca Quise Amar	Jaime Yamin	Caribbean Music Company	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Venca Minina	Clotilde Arias	Caribbean Music Company	Clotilde Arias Spanish/English lyrics
Mariana Mia	Eaton-Lambert-Gamse	Caribbean Music Company	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Love is Such a Cheat (Tal es el Amor)	Cuperescu-Caesar	Irving Caesar Irving Caesar Irving Caesar was an American lyricist and theater composer who wrote lyrics for "Swanee," "Sometimes I'm Happy," "Crazy Rhythm," and "Tea for Two," one of the most frequently recorded tunes ever written. He was born and died in New York.Caesar, the son of Morris Keiser, a Romanian Jew, was...	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Song of Friendship (19 songs)	Irving Caesar	Irving Caesar	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Song of Safety (20 songs)	Mark-Caesar	Irving Caesar	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Rum and Coca-Cola	Sullivan-Baron-Ambsterdam	Leo Feist Inc	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Whispering Pine (Oh Verde Pinar)	Trenet-Lawrence	Leeds Music Company	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
There's a Smile in your Eyes (Ya Sonrie El Amor)	Montes-Siegman	Leeds Music Company	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
The Gypsy (La Gitana)	Billy Reid	Leeds Music Company	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
On the Way to Venezuela (La Cancion de Venezuela)	Madriquera-Gamse	Magnet Music Inc	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Forgotton Serenade (La Serenata Olvidada)	Sugarman-Gamse	Magnet Music Inc	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
The Girl Behind the Song (El Amor Oculto en mi Cancion)	Madiera-Gamse	Magnet Music Inc	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Chi-Chi-Chi-Rom-Bom	Olivares-Gamse	Magnet Music Inc	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Caramba, It's the Samba (Caramba es La Samba)	Vasquez-Gamse	Magnet Music Inc	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Take it Away (Tomalo Tu)	Madriquera - Gamse	Magnet Music Inc	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
You are Everything to Me	Sanchez - David	Paramount	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Muchachita	Frydan - Gamse	Empress Music Publisher	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Aos Pes Da Cruz (Al Pie de Aquella Cruz)	Pinto - Goncalves	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Banzo	Tavares - Araujo	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Bates Palmas	Pretinho - Guedes	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Bonita Eres Tu	Moreales - Re	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Coco de Bahia	A. Almeida	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Canta Brazil	Nasser - Vermelho	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Coco de Minha Terra (Coco de Mi Tierra)	Taveres - D'Altavilla	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Mi Ranchero	Clotilde Arias	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Negra de Cabello Duro	Nasser - Soares	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Oh Rancho Fundo	Barroso - Babo	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Plaza Once	Othelo - Martins	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Samba de Copacabana	Nasser - Frazao	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Shu-Shu	Almeida - de Souza	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Teleco-Teco	Caldas - Pinto	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Valle del Rio Dulce	Nasser - Pinto	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Vatapa	Dorival Caymmi	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Song of the River	Savino - Harper	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Soy Bahiana	Dorival Caymmi	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Ela Voi A Feira (Me Seinto Bien)	Roberti - Greco	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Lig-Lig-Lig-Le	Santiago - Barosa	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
La Raspa	Mexican folk song	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Cavaquinho	Nazareth - Almeida	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Santa Rosa	McCarthy Jr - Rae	Robbins Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Escucha Tu	Clotilde Arias	E.B. Marks Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Huiracocha	Clotilde Arias	E.B. Marks Music Corporation	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Carnival	Warren - Russell	Triangle Music Corp	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Senora de Guadalupe)	Marjorie Harper	Whalen Music --Chicago	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Santa Rosa de Lima	Marjorie Harper	Whalen Music -- Chicago	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Red Lips Yellow Moonlight (Labios Como Amapola)	Clotilde Arias	Leeds Music Corp	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Down the Old Mission Road (Un Recuerdo de Amor)	Marjorie Harper	Top Notch Music Inc.	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
My Foolish Heart (Mi Enamorado Corazon)	Young-Washington	DECCA	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Idilio Roto	Clotilde Arias	R.C.A. Victor	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Suenos de Ayer	Sonia Dmitrowna	R.C.A. Victor	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Amor	Sonia Dmitrowna	R.C.A. Victor	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Gato Libre	Clotilde ARias	R.C.A. Victor	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Sonaba Qui Me Ausentaba	Clotilde ARias	R.C.A. Victor	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Margarita	Sonia Dmitrowna	R.C.A.Victor	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics
Ati-Ra-Ra	Clotilde Arias	Casi Mardi Inc (Santurce P.R.)	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics (on record)
Ford Car 1951	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics (jingle)
Ford Car 1952	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics (jingle)
Royal Coconut Pudding	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics (jingle)
Pond's Lips	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics (jingle)
Parkay Margarine No. 1	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Parkay Margarine No. 2	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Royal Flan	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Arrid Deodorant	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Odorono	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias	Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Tangee Lipstick 1953-54	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Tangee Lipstick 1955	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Bab-O	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Underwood Deviled Ham 1953-54	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Underwood Deviled Ham 1955	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Blue Bonnet Margarine	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Cambell Soups 1953-54	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle)
Cambell Soups 1955	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle on radio and TV)
Cutex Lipstic	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics (jingle on TV)
Cutex Nail-Polish	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics (jingle on TV)
Schaefer Beer 1952-1955	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias Spanish lyrics (jingle)
Vienna Sausages	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle, 3 spots on TV)
Alka Seltzer 1953	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle on radio and TV)
Alka Seltzer 1954	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle on radio and TV)
Alka Seltzer 1954	Clotilde Arias		Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle on radio and TV)
Remington Rand Electric Shaver	Clotilde Arias		Clotide Arias lyrics (jingle in England)