Retrato de Un Pescador

Cecilia Pahl's song "Retrato de Un Pescador" paints a vivid and soulful picture of a fisherman living by the Paraná River. The lyrics are rich with imagery and cultural references, capturing the essence of a life intertwined with nature and tradition. The opening lines describe the fisherman's physical appearance with poetic metaphors: his hair is likened to tar, his teeth to lignum vitae, and his skin to the pirá guazú fish, creating a vivid and almost mythical image of the man.

The song delves deeper into the fisherman's life, portraying his voice as a lament, akin to the mournful call of the urutaú bird. This comparison not only emphasizes the fisherman's connection to his environment but also hints at a deeper, perhaps melancholic, aspect of his existence. The mention of the lost pacú fish brings in a sense of legend and mystery, suggesting that the fisherman's life is steeped in the folklore of the river.

As the song progresses, it highlights the fisherman's daily routines and his intimate relationship with the river. He is depicted as a canoeist, born among the willows by the Paraná, drinking bitter mate under the stars, and spending his nights on the water. These details underscore his independence and freedom, painting a picture of a man who finds solace and purpose in his simple, yet profound, way of life. The closing lines, with their references to parting, laughing, rowing, dreaming, smoking a cigarette, and singing a little song while waiting for dawn, encapsulate the fisherman's serene and contemplative existence, making "Retrato de Un Pescador" a beautiful homage to a life lived in harmony with nature.