Que mis ojitos te vean
Camarón de La Isla
A Heart's Lament: The Yearning in 'Que mis ojitos te vean'
Camarón de La Isla, a legendary figure in the world of flamenco, brings forth a poignant and deeply emotional narrative in his song 'Que mis ojitos te vean.' The lyrics are a heartfelt expression of longing, pain, and unrequited love, themes that are often central to flamenco music. The song's raw emotion is conveyed through vivid imagery and a passionate delivery, hallmarks of Camarón's style.
The opening lines, 'tanto como te quiero, mis ojos lloran canales,' translate to 'as much as I love you, my eyes cry channels.' This metaphor powerfully illustrates the depth of the singer's sorrow and the intensity of his feelings. The tears are not just drops but channels, suggesting a continuous and overwhelming flow of emotion. The singer looks to the object of his affection for solace, believing that she understands his pain, as indicated by 'de ti espero yo el consuelo, porque sé que tú lo sabes.'
The chorus, 'que mis ojitos te vean, aborrecida y queriendo,' reveals a complex mix of emotions. The singer wishes to see his beloved, even if she is despised and in love with someone else. This paradoxical desire underscores the torment of unrequited love, where the heart yearns for the beloved despite the pain it causes. The imagery of 'las ducas te coman las entrañas de tu cuerpo'—'may the sorrows eat the entrails of your body'—further emphasizes the depth of his anguish and the destructive power of his emotions.
The final lines, 'ole, que mírala tú cómo ronea, ole, delante del novio pa que la vea,' depict a scene of the beloved flaunting herself in front of her new lover. The use of 'ole,' a traditional flamenco exclamation, adds a layer of cultural authenticity and emotional intensity. This scene highlights the singer's helplessness and the bitter reality of seeing his beloved with someone else, adding to the song's overall theme of heartache and longing.