Los Cisnes

“Los Cisnes” by Garzón y Collazos is a poignant ballad that tells the story of two swans whose love and devotion to each other are tragically cut short. The song begins by painting a serene picture of a swan living peacefully in a pristine lake, free from sorrow and pain. This idyllic existence is disrupted when the swan, feeling the stirrings of passion, finds a mate among a flock of white swans. Their love blossoms, and they spend their days swimming together, basking in the sun, and demonstrating their affection for one another, serving as a symbol of pure and unblemished love.

However, the tranquility of their love story is shattered one fateful morning in May. As the two swans perch on a tree, a sudden and violent event occurs—a gunshot rings out, and the male swan falls to the ground, mortally wounded. The female swan, in a heart-wrenching display of grief, throws herself from the tree and covers her fallen mate with her wings. The song reaches its tragic climax as the female swan is also killed by the hunter, ending their lives together in a moment of profound sorrow.

The narrative of “Los Cisnes” serves as a powerful metaphor for human relationships, urging listeners to love with the same blind passion as the swans. The song concludes with a moral lesson, encouraging men and women to create homes that are sacred temples of love, where the communion of love is as holy as a religious sacrament. Through its vivid imagery and emotional depth, the song captures the beauty and fragility of love, as well as the devastating impact of loss.