Alfonsina Y El Mar

Andrés Calamaro's rendition of 'Alfonsina Y El Mar' is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to the Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni, who tragically ended her life by walking into the sea. The song's lyrics are imbued with a sense of melancholy and reverence, capturing the poet's final moments and the profound sadness that accompanied her decision. The imagery of the 'blanca arena' (white sand) and the 'agua profunda' (deep water) paints a vivid picture of her solitary journey, emphasizing the themes of loneliness and escape.

The song delves into the emotional turmoil that Alfonsina must have experienced, with lines like 'Sabe Dios qué angustia te acompañó' (God knows what anguish accompanied you) and 'qué dolores viejos calló tu voz' (what old pains your voice silenced). These lyrics suggest a deep, unspoken suffering that led her to seek solace in the sea. The recurring motif of the sea, with its 'caracolas marinas' (sea shells) and 'caminos de algas y de coral' (paths of algae and coral), symbolizes both a final resting place and a return to nature, offering a sense of peace and eternal beauty.

The song also touches on the idea of a poetic afterlife, with Alfonsina being carried away by 'cinco sirenitas' (five little mermaids) and 'fosforescentes caballos marinos' (phosphorescent sea horses). This fantastical imagery adds a layer of mysticism to her departure, suggesting that she is not merely lost but transformed into a part of the ocean's eternal rhythm. The repeated refrain 'Te vas Alfonsina con tu soledad' (You go, Alfonsina, with your solitude) underscores the inevitability and acceptance of her fate, while also celebrating her enduring legacy as a poet who sought beauty even in her final moments.