Como los Peces

Carlos Varela's song 'Como los Peces' delves into the silent suffering and resignation of people in the face of societal and personal hardships. The recurring metaphor of 'como los peces' (like the fish) symbolizes the silent endurance and the inability to voice their struggles, much like fish that live in water but cannot speak. This imagery is powerful, as it reflects the quiet desperation and the unspoken pain that many individuals experience.

The song opens with a critique of religious institutions, highlighting how churches speak of salvation while people pray in silence, hoping for change. The image of a tear rolling down the face of Jesus, described as 'lágrimas negras' (black tears), suggests a deep sorrow and perhaps a sense of hopelessness. This sorrow is mirrored in the faces of parents and their children, who are also depicted as silently enduring their suffering.

Varela also touches on the broader societal context, where news reports speak of resignation, and people, much like the fish, swallow their pain and look at each other in silent understanding. The song poignantly describes the disillusionment of the youth, who, in their silence, choose to escape to the sea, symbolizing a search for freedom or a better life. The recurring refrain about being abandoned and the death of illusions, coupled with the imagery of 'lágrimas negras,' underscores a profound sense of loss and despair that permeates the song.

'Como los Peces' is a haunting reflection on the silent struggles and the pervasive sense of disillusionment in society. It speaks to the universal human experience of suffering in silence and the longing for a voice to express the depth of one's pain.