El Viejo

El Rolas' song 'El Viejo' is a poignant tribute to a father who was both a dreamer and a victim of his own vices. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man named Don Simon, who, despite his struggles with alcohol, was remembered fondly by his family. The song begins with a scene of Don Simon resting his weary eyes, fatigued from years of life experiences. The imagery of him leaning on the wind in the cold early morning sets a melancholic tone, highlighting his vulnerability and the toll that life has taken on him.

The narrative then shifts to the perspective of the son, who recounts the night his father came home, exhausted and inebriated. The father's arrival is met with a mix of concern and routine acceptance by the family, particularly the mother who opens the door for him. The father's eventual passing in his sleep, with alcohol coursing through his veins, is a tragic moment that underscores the destructive impact of his addiction. Despite this, the son remembers his father as a joyful and loving man, a dreamer who built dreams for others as an artist and a bricklayer.

The song's chorus reflects on the father's legacy, emphasizing his positive qualities and the love he had for his family. The son inherits an empty wallet from his father, symbolizing the emotional and financial void left behind. Yet, this inheritance also represents the potential for the son to fill it with his own dreams and achievements. The song concludes with the son standing by his father's grave, expressing his longing and the enduring presence of his father in his memories and in the song itself. 'El Viejo' is a heartfelt ode to a flawed yet beloved figure, capturing the complexity of familial love and the enduring impact of a parent's legacy.