Vaig Com Les Aus
Joan Manuel Serrat
The Eternal Search for Lost Innocence
Joan Manuel Serrat's song "Vaig Com Les Aus" is a poignant exploration of loss and the relentless search for something irreplaceable. The lyrics draw a vivid parallel between the singer's emotional state and the behavior of birds that have lost their young. These birds, depicted as circling endlessly and crying out in anguish, symbolize a profound and unending grief. Their cries are described as 'crits de sang' (cries of blood), emphasizing the depth of their pain and the urgency of their search. This imagery sets the tone for the entire song, highlighting the theme of an unquenchable sorrow that permeates every moment of existence.
The song delves deeper into the emotional turmoil by describing the birds' futile attempts to find solace. Despite their relentless efforts, they are unable to find their lost offspring, and this failure only intensifies their suffering. The lyrics suggest that the truth of their loss is too painful to bear, and they are trapped in a cycle of hope and despair. This mirrors the singer's own experience of searching for a part of himself that seems forever out of reach. The use of the birds' plight as a metaphor for personal loss and the search for identity adds a layer of universality to the song, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced profound grief.
As the day turns to night, the birds, exhausted and defeated, return to their empty nest, feeling their hearts grow old and dark. This imagery conveys a sense of resignation and the inevitable toll that such relentless sorrow takes on the soul. The next day, the cycle begins anew, with the birds continuing their painful search. The singer, too, is caught in this endless loop, seeking a part of himself that remains elusive. The final lines of the song reveal a deep, internalized pain that is expressed through silence, as the singer's lament is 'mut' (mute), and his sorrow feeds on itself. This powerful conclusion underscores the theme of an internal struggle that is both deeply personal and universally understood.