Canción para un viejo amigo

Ismael Serrano's song "Canción para un viejo amigo" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the complexities of love, and the enduring nature of friendship. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia, recalling the wild and carefree days of youth, symbolized by the 'blue dawn' and the laughter of a drunken Aphrodite. These memories are tinged with a bittersweet longing, as the singer questions where those luminous days have gone, suggesting they have been lost to the routine and responsibilities of adult life.

The song delves into the existential struggle of seeking meaning and escape, only to find oneself back at the starting point. This is illustrated through the metaphor of Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology condemned to push a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time he nears the top. Serrano likens love to this futile task, describing it as a stone that Sisyphus must push, and life as a frightened cat's bell. The lyrics poignantly express the pain and inevitability of love and growth, acknowledging that no one warned us that to love is to hurt, and to grow is to learn that it is often too late to return to what once was.

Despite the melancholic undertones, the song also carries a message of resilience and acceptance. The singer proposes a toast to his old friend, celebrating the lessons learned from the night and the old spells that help them defy time. The final verses offer a sense of closure and peace, as Sisyphus abandons his stone and the frightened cat finds rest. The song concludes with a powerful realization: while love may bring pain, it is the journey and the learning that matter, and nothing is truly lost that was never meant to be.