Llegar A Viejo

Joan Manuel Serrat's "Llegar A Viejo" is a poignant reflection on aging and the passage of time. The song delves into the fears and uncertainties that accompany growing older, while also imagining a world where the process of aging could be more dignified and fulfilling. Serrat's lyrics suggest that if the negative aspects of aging could be mitigated, reaching old age might be a more positive experience.

The song begins by contemplating a scenario where fear is removed and past joys are retained to face the present. It speaks to the desire for a life well-lived, where one's contributions are recognized and rewarded with respect and ease in later years. Serrat muses on the idea of being better prepared for old age, both mentally and physically, and the wish for a more balanced exchange between what one has given and what one receives in return. The mention of a 'jubilado' (retiree) card opening doors is a metaphor for society valuing and facilitating the lives of its elderly.

Serrat also touches on the importance of memories, companionship, and the need for support as one grows older. He laments the bitterness of fatigue and defeat, and the darkness that seems to loom around the corner. The song ends with a powerful message: if society were more understanding and supportive, and if the transition into old age came with more advantages and fewer drawbacks, then perhaps 'llegar a viejo' (growing old) would be a progression, a fitting conclusion to life's narrative, rather than a period of decline and invisibility. The final lines evoke a universal truth, that within each person is an 'old self' waiting to emerge, suggesting a shared destiny and a call for empathy towards the elderly.