Acquaforte

Carlos Gardel's song 'Acquaforte' paints a vivid and melancholic picture of a cabaret at midnight, where the superficial glamour of the scene contrasts sharply with the underlying sadness and disillusionment. The lyrics describe a world where women, flowers, and champagne are the main attractions, but beneath the surface, there is a sense of emptiness and despair. Gardel, reflecting on his forty years of life, sees the cabaret with a sense of regret and sorrow, recognizing the illusions he once held and the harsh realities that now confront him.

The song delves into the lives of the people within the cabaret. The 'poor girls, tired of kisses,' who look at Gardel with curiosity, no longer recognize him, highlighting his feelings of isolation and aging. The rich old man who spends his money on champagne for Lulu, yet denies a poor worker a raise, underscores the social inequalities and moral decay Gardel observes. The once-reigning queen of Montmartre, now reduced to selling flowers, offers a poignant symbol of lost glory and the passage of time.

Gardel's reflections extend beyond the cabaret to broader societal issues. He contemplates the suffering of mothers, the aimless wandering of children without homes or food, and the meager earnings of those selling newspapers. These observations evoke a deep sense of sadness and a desire to cry, as Gardel grapples with the harsh realities of life and the fleeting nature of happiness. 'Acquaforte' is a powerful commentary on the human condition, capturing the sorrow and disillusionment that often accompany the passage of time and the loss of youthful dreams.