Martirio

Enrique Santos Discépolo's song 'Martirio' delves deep into the torment of unrequited love and the profound loneliness that accompanies it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is 'increíblemente solo' (incredibly alone), living in the perpetual agony of waiting for someone who will never return. This sense of abandonment is palpable, as the protagonist grapples with the 'dolor que muerde las carnes' (pain that bites the flesh) and the 'vergüenza de no olvidarte' (shame of not forgetting you). The repetition of 'solo' emphasizes the depth of this isolation, likening it to the solitude experienced by those who are dying or suffering.

The song also explores the inexplicable nature of love, as the protagonist questions why they are condemned to love someone who brings them so much pain. The line 'Ni qué castigo de Dios me condenó al horror de que seas vos' (Nor what punishment from God condemned me to the horror that it is you) suggests a sense of divine punishment, as if their love is a curse they cannot escape. This theme of cursed love is further reinforced by the 'fiebre de pasiones maldecidas' (fever of cursed passions) that the protagonist suffers from, indicating a love that is both intense and destructive.

Discépolo's lyrics also touch on the idea of past lives and the notion that some sufferings are carried over from previous existences. The 'dolor de bestia perdida' (pain of a lost beast) metaphorically describes the protagonist's desperate attempts to escape the torment of their unrequited love, yet they remain trapped in their suffering. The song concludes with a haunting sense of inevitability, as the protagonist's conscience continues to scream about the betrayal and absence of their beloved, leaving them 'despiadadamente solo' (mercilessly alone) forever.