Milonga de ojos dorados

Alfredo Zitarrosa's 'Milonga de ojos dorados' is a poignant and evocative song that delves deep into themes of love, longing, and the enduring power of memory. The song is structured as a milonga, a traditional form of music and dance from the Río de la Plata region, which Zitarrosa masterfully uses to convey his emotions. The lyrics are a heartfelt plea to the milonga itself, asking it to carry his message of love to a woman with golden eyes, whose memory haunts him.

The golden eyes of the woman serve as a powerful metaphor for a love that is both precious and unattainable. Zitarrosa's use of imagery, such as 'ojos color de oro' (eyes the color of gold) and 'boca de trigo' (mouth of wheat), paints a vivid picture of a woman who is almost ethereal in her beauty. The milonga becomes a companion in his sorrow, a musical entity that understands his pain and can communicate his feelings to the woman he loves. This personification of the milonga adds a layer of depth to the song, making it not just a lament but a dialogue between the singer and the music itself.

The song also touches on the theme of hope and the belief in the enduring nature of true love. Despite the woman's absence, Zitarrosa holds onto the hope that one day she will hear his song and feel the love he once offered her. This sentiment is encapsulated in lines like 'ella sentirá el latido del amor que una vez le pedí' (she will feel the heartbeat of the love I once asked for). The milonga, with its rhythmic and melodic qualities, becomes a vessel for this hope, carrying his emotions across time and space.

' Milonga de ojos dorados' is a beautiful example of how music can capture the complexities of human emotion. Zitarrosa's heartfelt lyrics and the traditional milonga form create a timeless piece that resonates with anyone who has experienced love and loss. The song is a testament to the power of music to convey deep emotional truths and to keep the memory of love alive, even in the face of separation.