Décimas a Jacinto Luna

Alfredo Zitarrosa's 'Décimas a Jacinto Luna' is a poignant exploration of the life of a wandering troubadour, deeply rooted in the traditions of the milonga, a genre of music and dance from the Río de la Plata region. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a solitary traveler, who is at peace with his destiny of perpetual movement and solitude. The opening lines, 'No pregunten de a'nde soy, vengo del tiempo aparcero,' suggest a timeless existence, where the singer's origins and destinations are irrelevant. This reflects a broader existential theme, where the journey itself is more significant than the start or end points.

The imagery of 'despertando guitarras a la orilla del camino' (waking up guitars by the roadside) evokes the idea of music as a constant companion and a source of solace. The absence of traditional symbols of the gaucho, such as the facón (knife) and lazo (lasso), emphasizes a departure from violence and a focus on the emotional and spiritual aspects of the journey. The 'temblor que los vientos dejaron en mis bordonas' (tremor that the winds left in my strings) symbolizes the lingering impact of past experiences and the melancholic undertone that permeates the song.

The recurring theme of loss and absence is evident in lines like 'no hay pa' los que cantan más pago que el de la ausencia' (there is no greater reward for those who sing than absence). This suggests that the life of a singer is inherently tied to a sense of longing and unfulfilled desires. The final stanza, with its reference to 'ramitas de mataojo' (branches of mataojo) and 'dolor en el corazón' (pain in the heart), encapsulates the hardships and emotional scars that come with such a life. Yet, there is a sense of hope and continuity, as the singer's song will remain 'despierto' (awake) even after his death, symbolizing the enduring power of art and memory.