Arboles De La Barranca
El Coyote Y Su Banda
The Longing of Love in 'Arboles De La Barranca'
The song 'Arboles De La Barranca' by El Coyote Y Su Banda is a traditional Mexican ballad that delves into themes of love, longing, and the natural world as a metaphor for emotional states. The lyrics open with a question about why the trees of the ravine have not turned green, suggesting a lack of nourishment from the 'florido' river. This imagery sets the tone for a narrative of unfulfilled love, as the singer relates the trees' condition to his own experience of loving a woman with the hope and illusion of being loved in return.
The second verse introduces a conversation between the singer and a friend, Baledor, who is asked which of three passing women he prefers. The choice of the woman in the white dress symbolizes purity and perhaps an idealized love. The repetition of the line 'Me puse a amar a una mujer con la ilusin de amar' underscores the singer's deep emotional investment and the vulnerability that comes with it. The song's narrative continues with the singer defending his drinking and wandering, asserting the sincerity of his love despite what may seem like carefree behavior.
In the final verse, the singer speaks of going to the ravine to plant rice, using the act of sowing as a metaphor for cultivating love. He expresses a desire to teach the woman how two people can come together, further emphasizing his longing for a reciprocal and nurturing relationship. The recurring theme of illusion in love suggests a bittersweet tone, where hope and desire persist in the face of uncertainty or unrequited feelings.