Farol

Homero Expósito's song 'Farol' is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, memory, and the passage of time, set against the backdrop of a working-class neighborhood. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of an 'arrabal,' a term often used to describe a humble, peripheral neighborhood in Argentina. This setting is characterized by its 'casas que reflejan su dolor de lata' (houses that reflect their pain of tin), suggesting a place marked by hardship and resilience. The 'arrabal' is not just a physical space but a repository of human stories and legends, often immortalized in the form of tangos, a genre deeply rooted in Argentine culture.

The central motif of the song is the 'farol' (streetlight), which serves as a silent witness to the changes and memories of the neighborhood. The streetlight, once a beacon of light and hope, now seems dimmed and weary, much like the community it illuminates. The lyrics 'Farol, las cosas que ahora se ven... Farol ya no es lo mismo que ayer...' (Streetlight, the things that are seen now... Streetlight, it's not the same as yesterday...) reflect a sense of loss and change. The streetlight's fading light symbolizes the erosion of the past and the encroachment of modernity, leaving the singer with a deep sense of melancholy.

Expósito also weaves in cultural references, such as the 'poemas populares de Carriego,' alluding to the works of Evaristo Carriego, a poet known for his depictions of Buenos Aires' working-class life. The song captures the essence of a community that converses with the sky and dreams of a better life, even as it grapples with the harsh realities of existence. The recurring image of the clock striking two in the morning adds to the atmosphere of quiet reflection and the passage of time, as the 'arrabal' seems to fall asleep, whispering its stories to the ever-watchful streetlight.