María

Anibal Troilo's song 'María' is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and memory. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a past relationship with a woman named María, who seems to embody both a personal and universal sense of melancholy. The song opens with the narrator questioning whether María was merely a name or an echo of an old song, suggesting that her presence in his life was both deeply personal and somewhat ephemeral. This duality sets the tone for the rest of the song, where María is both a vivid memory and a distant, almost mythical figure.

The imagery in the song is rich and evocative, particularly in the way it describes María's arrival in autumn, a season often associated with decay and endings. Her 'poor little hat' and 'brown coat' are symbols of modesty and perhaps a certain sadness, reinforcing the melancholic atmosphere. The repeated mention of rain and a 'landscape of melancholy' further amplifies the sense of sorrow and longing. The rain is not just a backdrop but a metaphor for the emotional state of the narrator, who feels as though his heart is perpetually drenched in sorrow.

The chorus of the song is particularly haunting, as it brings María back into the narrator's life, if only in memory. Her voice, described as 'small and sad,' echoes the day she said there was nothing left between them. This moment of finality is contrasted with the narrator's enduring sense of possession and loss, as he calls her 'the most mine' and 'the distant one.' The song closes with a reflection on María's eyes and hands, which were both distant and healing, encapsulating the complex emotions of love and loss. Troilo's 'María' is a masterful blend of lyrical beauty and emotional depth, capturing the essence of a love that is both deeply felt and irrevocably lost.