Rieles de San Pedro

“Rieles de San Pedro” by Adrian Abonizio is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the melancholic beauty of a decaying city. The song opens with a sense of indifference towards time, emphasizing the repetitive and unchanging nature of life between train arrivals. The imagery of a “ciudad descascarada” (a peeling city) and constant rain sets a somber tone, evoking a place that has seen better days and is now in a state of decline.

The lyrics delve deeper into the emotional landscape of the city, with the “languida voz de la tarde” (languid voice of the afternoon) becoming more painful at night. This suggests a deep-seated sadness that intensifies with the darkness, a common metaphor for loneliness and despair. The mention of “Irene Paraná” and the silhouettes sold at kiosks adds a layer of nostalgia, perhaps referencing a lost love or a bygone era. The repeated mention of “tristeza” (sadness) underscores the pervasive sense of sorrow that permeates both the city and the lives of its inhabitants.

As the song progresses, there is a call to seize the moment and leave for the “único lugar” (the only place), which could symbolize a search for meaning or escape from the pervasive sadness. The line “la tristeza que ves es la tristeza que traes” (the sadness you see is the sadness you bring) suggests that the melancholy is not just external but also internal, a reflection of the individual's own emotional state. The imagery of a “luz mojada” (wet light) and the dust rising at the terminal further enhances the feeling of transience and impermanence, capturing the essence of a place and time that is slipping away.