Las Aguas Turbias Suben Esta Vez

“Las Aguas Turbias Suben Esta Vez” by Almafuerte is a powerful and evocative song that delves into themes of natural disaster, societal neglect, and prophetic warnings. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a city, likely Buenos Aires, facing the dire consequences of relentless rain and rising floodwaters. The imagery of water seeping from the ground and rotting the roots symbolizes deep-seated issues that have been ignored for too long, now coming to the surface with devastating effects.

The song highlights the plight of the common people, referred to as 'el pueblo porteño,' who suffer the most during these calamities. The mention of 'tinglados grises' (grey sheds) filled with evacuees underscores the inadequate infrastructure and the failure of the city's drainage systems ('cauces entubados') to contain the floodwaters. This situation is exacerbated by the 'sudestada,' a strong southeast wind that brings storms and further raises the river levels, making the disaster inevitable and more severe.

Almafuerte also touches on social disparities, noting that the brave will survive while the wealthy will flee, leaving the less fortunate to face the brunt of the disaster. The repeated assertion that people will claim the singer is wrong and that such a catastrophe is impossible reflects a common societal denial of impending doom, despite clear signs and ancient predictions. The song serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of ignoring environmental and infrastructural issues, urging listeners to heed the warnings before it's too late.