A Que Le Llaman Distancia

Atahualpa Yupanqui's song 'A Que Le Llaman Distancia' delves into the philosophical and existential question of what distance truly means. The lyrics challenge the conventional understanding of distance, suggesting that it is not merely a physical measurement but a concept deeply tied to perception and inner experience. Yupanqui, a renowned Argentine folk musician and poet, uses his profound lyrical style to explore how distance can be transcended through emotional and spiritual connection.

The song opens with a rhetorical question, '¿A qué le llaman distancia?' (What do they call distance?), setting the stage for a reflective inquiry. Yupanqui posits that things are only far away when we fail to truly see them, implying that distance is a matter of perspective. This idea is reinforced with the lines, 'Solo están lejos las cosas / Que no sabemos mirar' (Only things we don't know how to look at are far away). Here, Yupanqui suggests that understanding and empathy can bridge the gaps that physical distance creates.

Further into the song, Yupanqui introduces the notion that the soul's journey can make physical distances irrelevant. 'Las leguas desaparecen / Si el alma empieza a aletear' (The leagues disappear if the soul begins to flutter) poetically conveys that spiritual awakening and emotional clarity can dissolve the barriers of distance. The song also touches on the idea that the world is within us, questioning why we should look outside when everything we need is inside. This introspective view is encapsulated in the lines, 'Si el mundo está dentro de uno / ¿Afuera, por qué mirar?' (If the world is inside one, why look outside?).

Yupanqui's lyrics also reflect on the mysterious nature of life and the power of the mind to transcend physical limitations. 'Uno está donde uno quiere / Muchas veces sin pensar' (One is where one wants to be, often without thinking) suggests that our mental and emotional states can place us anywhere we desire, regardless of physical location. The song concludes by reiterating the initial question, emphasizing the need to rethink our understanding of distance and connection.