Comedia

Héctor Lavoe's song 'Comedia' delves into the bittersweet nature of life, using the metaphor of a theatrical play to explore themes of love, suffering, and the fleeting nature of happiness. The opening lines, 'Si pides el cielo / Lo pondré a tus pies,' set a tone of grand promises that are ultimately unattainable, highlighting the disparity between idealistic dreams and harsh realities. Lavoe's use of 'frases de comedia' (comedic phrases) that he will never say underscores the irony and futility of such grandiose declarations in the face of life's inevitable hardships.

The song continues to explore the inevitability of suffering with lines like 'Mucho has de llorar / Poco has de reír,' suggesting that sorrow outweighs joy in the human experience. Lavoe's reflection on destiny and the brevity of life, 'Corto es el camino / Ya tú lo verás,' further emphasizes the transient nature of existence. The imagery of life as 'polvo' (dust) that ultimately separates us all serves as a poignant reminder of our mortality and the ephemeral nature of our struggles and triumphs.

In the latter part of the song, Lavoe introduces the idea of life as a 'comedia' (comedy), where he sees himself as merely an 'extra' in the grand play. This metaphor extends to the title 'Sufrimiento terrenal' (earthly suffering), encapsulating the human condition as a mix of good and evil, with love persisting through it all. The song's closing lines, 'Seguirá el amor,' offer a glimmer of hope, suggesting that despite the suffering and fleeting happiness, love endures as a constant force in our lives.