So touching. As an avid U2 fan, I grew up with this song, but never knew of the significance. After learning about Madres de Plaza de Mayo and the Desaparecidos, it all made sense.
Mothers of the Disappeared = Madres de los Desaparecidos
Talk about a lightbulb going off. As soon as this clicked, I listened to the song and was moved to tears. It all made sense. Upon viewing this live video from U2’s 1998 PopMart Tour in Santiago, I gained even more respect for the band I already admire. Cue the waterworks…
Midnight, our sons and daughters
Were cut down and taken from us
Hear their heartbeat
We hear their heartbeat
In the wind we hear their laughter
In the rain we see their tears
Hear their heartbeat
We hear their heartbeat
Night hangs like a prisoner
Stretched over, black and blue
Hear their heartbeat
We hear their heartbeat
In the trees our sons stand naked
Through the walls our daughters cry
See their tears in the rainfall