Dile a la vida

Alfredo Zitarrosa's 'Dile a la vida' is a poignant exploration of solitude, memory, and the enduring impact of past relationships. The song, delivered in the traditional Zamba style, delves into the emotional landscape of a person grappling with loneliness and the lingering presence of a past love. The repeated refrain, 'Para tanta soledad me sobra el tiempo, dile a la vida que viva,' underscores the protagonist's struggle with an abundance of time in solitude, urging life to continue despite the pervasive sense of loss.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the protagonist's internal world, where memories of a past love are ever-present yet painful. The metaphor of a 'door asleep' that occasionally opens only to close quickly suggests fleeting moments of emotional vulnerability and reminiscence. This imagery conveys the difficulty of moving on from a love that has left deep scars. The protagonist's acknowledgment of 'penas conocidas' (familiar sorrows) highlights the recurring nature of this emotional pain, making it a constant companion in their solitude.

Zitarrosa's song also touches on themes of reconciliation and acceptance. The lines 'Cuando volvamos a vernos no sangrarán tus heridas, yo he pagado tu dolor con el infierno, tu amor con toda mi vida' reflect a hope for eventual healing and the heavy emotional toll the protagonist has endured. The song's closing lines reiterate the protagonist's resignation to solitude and the passage of time as a potential healer, even as they remain vigilant over the memory of their lost love. Through its evocative lyrics and melancholic tone, 'Dile a la vida' captures the complex interplay of love, loss, and the passage of time in the human experience.