Baez stated at the time that she released the album as a "message of hope to the Chileans suffering under Augusto Pinochet", in the wake of the death of Salvador Allende.

(Baez is known for her criticism of US foreign policy in Latin America, and has toured and worked on behalf of improving human rights in the region).

Songs include selections by Chilean composers Víctor Jara (who was tortured and killed in the aftermath of the 1973 coup d'état) and Violeta Parra, who composed the title song.

A more upbeat version of "Dida" appears on Baez's Diamonds & Rust, released the following year.

Countries represented in the track listing range from Mexico and Cuba to Chile and Spain.