Misa de Once

Carlos Gardel's 'Misa de Once' is a poignant reflection on youth, love, and the passage of time. The song opens with a vivid recollection of a young romance, set against the backdrop of a strict school and the weekly ritual of attending Sunday mass. The protagonist, who was twenty at the time, fondly remembers the girl he admired, who was only allowed out on Sundays. The imagery of her arriving at church, accompanied by her grandmother, and the exchange of smiles between them, paints a picture of innocent and hopeful love.

The chorus, with its reference to the 'voces de bronce' (bronze voices) calling to the eleven o'clock mass, symbolizes the promises and dreams of youth. The 'graves campanas' (grave bells) singing in the 'floridas mañanas' (flourishing mornings) of his 'dorada ilusión' (golden illusion) evoke a sense of lost opportunities and unfulfilled dreams. The protagonist's journey through life, driven by a desire for glory and affection, ultimately leads to a return marked by weariness and a heavy heart.

The song's latter verses delve deeper into the theme of lost love and the passage of time. The protagonist reflects on whether it was a sin to express his feelings in front of the Virgin Mary, highlighting the innocence and purity of his emotions. However, as time has passed, another person now speaks the words of love that he once did. The protagonist's soul, now sick and despondent, mourns at the window of his dreams, longing for the past. 'Misa de Once' is a melancholic ode to the fleeting nature of youth and the enduring pain of lost love, beautifully captured through Gardel's emotive lyrics and evocative storytelling.