Virgen de Guadalupe (feat. Carlos Dante y Oscar Larroca)
Alfredo de Angelis
A Plea to the Virgen de Guadalupe: Seeking Solace in Solitude
"Virgen de Guadalupe" by Alfredo de Angelis, featuring Carlos Dante and Oscar Larroca, is a poignant tango that delves into themes of loneliness, longing, and the search for solace. The song is a heartfelt plea to the Virgen de Guadalupe, a revered figure in Latin American culture, often seen as a symbol of hope and compassion. The narrator confesses a life devoid of love and religious comfort, portraying himself as a "paria," or outcast, who has never experienced the warmth of affection or spiritual guidance.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man burdened by emotional coldness, symbolized by the "nieve en mi corazón" or "snow in my heart." This metaphor suggests a deep-seated emotional numbness and isolation, as if his heart has been frozen by the absence of love and maternal care. The narrator's illusions and dreams are likened to flowers swept away by a storm, emphasizing the fragility and transience of his hopes.
In his desperation, the narrator turns to the Virgen de Guadalupe, seeking her "cariñito" or little affection, to melt the ice within him. He fears dying alone and in pain, without the comfort of love or companionship. The song captures the universal human fear of loneliness and the yearning for connection, as well as the hope that divine intervention might provide the solace and warmth that life has denied him. The plea for a simple kiss from the Virgen, even if it is followed by her departure, underscores the narrator's deep desire for even the smallest gesture of compassion to alleviate his suffering.