La última curda

Alfredo Zitarrosa's rendition of 'La última curda' is a poignant exploration of despair, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of life, all encapsulated within the melancholic strains of a tango. The song opens with a direct address to the bandoneón, a quintessential instrument in tango music, whose 'hoarse malevolent curse' and 'tear of rum' symbolize the deep sorrow and regret that the singer feels. The bandoneón's music transports the singer to the 'deep bottom' where the 'mud rises,' a metaphor for the emotional and existential mire in which he finds himself. The singer acknowledges the absurdity of life, describing it as a 'wound' and a 'drunkenness,' suggesting that his confession is nothing more than a momentary escape from his pain.

The lyrics delve into themes of lost love and failure, as the singer implores the bandoneón to share its own 'condemnation' and 'failure,' reflecting his own sense of being wounded by life. The mention of 'that absent love' and 'a piece of oblivion' highlights the singer's struggle with memories that refuse to fade, causing him ongoing pain. The act of drinking becomes a means to numb this pain, as he seeks solace in alcohol to 'end the function' and draw a curtain over his heart. This imagery underscores the futility of trying to escape one's sorrows through temporary means.

The song also touches on the passage of time and the inevitability of forgetting, as the singer asks to close the window to the burning sun, symbolizing the harsh reality he wishes to avoid. He describes coming from a 'country of oblivion, always gray, after the alcohol,' painting a picture of a life overshadowed by sadness and the constant attempt to drown it out. Zitarrosa's interpretation of 'La última curda' is a masterful blend of lyrical depth and emotional resonance, capturing the essence of tango as a genre that speaks to the heart's deepest sorrows and longings.