Yo No Quiero Ser Un Ciudadano
Facundo Cabral
The Quest for Authenticity in Facundo Cabral's 'Yo No Quiero Ser Un Ciudadano'
Facundo Cabral's song 'Yo No Quiero Ser Un Ciudadano' is a poignant reflection on the weariness and disillusionment that can come from the pressures of modern life. The lyrics express a deep desire to escape the confines of societal expectations and to live in a way that is more true to one's natural state. Cabral's plea for forgiveness from a higher power suggests a conflict between his inner values and the external world, highlighting a sense of alienation and a yearning for spiritual freedom.
The song's critique of the city, office life, family obligations, and economic concerns reveals a profound dissatisfaction with the mundane and materialistic aspects of society. The reference to family as a 'via crucis' (way of the cross) and 'miseria en cooperativa' (misery in cooperation) uses religious imagery to convey the burden of familial responsibilities. Cabral's lament about his mother being unique yet burdensome to him adds a personal touch to his broader social commentary.
Ultimately, 'Yo No Quiero Ser Un Ciudadano' is a call to break free from the commodification of life, where everything has a price, and to seek a more authentic existence in harmony with nature. Cabral's desire to be 'un hombre como me has creado' (a man as you have created me) is a powerful statement of wanting to return to a purer, uncorrupted state of being, away from the artificial constructs of citizenship and societal roles.