Pialando Miseria

The song 'Pialando Miseria' by Abel Ivroud is a poignant narrative that delves into the hardships of rural life, particularly in the context of Argentine gaucho culture. The lyrics tell the story of a day in the life of a gaucho, starting with the early morning preparations for a day's work. The gaucho saddles his horse, the 'rosillo,' and sets out with his tools and loyal dog, the 'ovejero amarillo,' to tend to his duties on the ranch. The imagery is rich with details of the landscape and the gaucho's deep connection to his environment, as seen in the misty morning and the spiderwebs on the fence.

As the gaucho counts the cattle, he notices one missing and sets out to find it, only to discover a troubling scene. A poncho belonging to a man named Polanco is found on the fence, and nearby, the gaucho finds evidence of theft—a broken-down cart known to belong to a desperate neighbor. The song touches on the theme of poverty and the lengths to which people will go to survive. The neighbor, driven by hunger and the need to provide for his family, has resorted to stealing cattle. The gaucho, understanding the dire situation, decides to cover up the theft by claiming the missing animal died accidentally.

'Pialando Miseria' is a reflection on the moral dilemmas faced by those living in poverty and the compassion that can arise from shared struggles. Ivroud's storytelling through music highlights the complexities of rural life, where the law of survival often conflicts with the law of the land. The song's title, which translates to 'Flaying Misery,' metaphorically represents the act of exposing the raw and painful reality of poverty and the difficult choices it forces upon individuals.