El Ciego

Cheo Feliciano's song 'El Ciego' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the deep sorrow it brings. The lyrics are rich with metaphors that vividly illustrate the singer's emotional state. The song opens with the image of a dried-up fountain, symbolizing the loss of joy and vitality when love is absent. This metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the profound sadness that the singer feels due to unreciprocated affection.

The song continues with the lament of birds who have lost their nest, another powerful metaphor for loss and displacement. This imagery conveys a sense of helplessness and despair, as the birds' natural habitat is taken away, much like the singer's happiness is stripped away by unreturned love. The repetition of the phrase 'por ti, sólo por ti' underscores the singular focus of the singer's sorrow, making it clear that this emotional turmoil is caused by one specific person.

One of the most striking metaphors in the song is that of a blind person falling in love and yearning to see the dawn. This image captures the futility and pain of longing for something unattainable. The blind lover's tears and the moon's suffering when there are no lovers to admire it further emphasize the theme of unfulfilled desire. The song concludes with the metaphor of the setting sun, symbolizing the end of hope and the onset of darkness, mirroring the singer's emotional state. Through these vivid and heart-wrenching images, Cheo Feliciano masterfully conveys the depth of sorrow that comes with unrequited love.