Juventud

Carlos Gardel's song 'Juventud' delves into the complex interplay between youth and the metaphorical carnival, a symbol of life's fleeting joys and inevitable sorrows. The carnival, with its mocking laughter and ironic cruelty, represents the unpredictable and often harsh nature of life. It invades the soul, offering joy to those who embrace it and stealing peace from those who suffer. This duality is evident in the way the carnival leaves lasting marks, turning the happy into the sad and leaving the unfortunate beyond salvation.

In the second stanza, Gardel's youthful persona confronts the carnival head-on, unafraid of its biting sarcasm and mocking gestures. The reference to 'Momo,' the god of satire and mockery in Greek mythology, underscores the carnival's role as a relentless force of ridicule. Yet, the young protagonist remains undaunted, finding a strange allure in the carnival's sarcastic grin. This defiance and fearlessness are hallmarks of youth, a time when one feels invincible and ready to challenge any adversary.

However, the song also hints at the inevitable passage of time. The protagonist acknowledges that while he currently revels in the carnival's farces, the battle will resume in fifteen years. The carnival, described as a coward that preys on the old, will return to challenge him once more. This acknowledgment of aging and the changing dynamics of life's struggles adds a layer of poignancy to the song. Gardel's 'Juventud' is a powerful reflection on the transient nature of youth, the inevitability of aging, and the enduring presence of life's challenges, symbolized by the ever-mocking carnival.