Disculpe El Señor

Joan Manuel Serrat's song 'Disculpe El Señor' is a poignant social commentary wrapped in a narrative that unfolds in the lyrics. The song begins with an interruption, where the singer addresses a wealthy individual, informing them that there are poor people at their door asking for them. These people are not beggars or salesmen; they are described as having 'nothing at all,' which implies they are destitute and possibly disenfranchised. The repeated mention that they have nothing to sell or lose underscores their desperation and lack of resources.

The lyrics continue with a sarcastic tone, offering to relay messages to the poor that reflect dismissive attitudes, such as 'Santa Rita, Rita, Rita, lo que se da, no se quita,' which translates to 'Saint Rita, Rita, Rita, what is given cannot be taken back.' This is a play on words, suggesting that the wealthy person is not willing to part with their wealth. The song's narrator also sarcastically offers to call a guard to check the poor people's 'papers,' highlighting the bureaucratic barriers that often confront the impoverished.

The song culminates with the masses of poor people being unstoppable, a metaphor for the growing awareness and unrest among the underprivileged. The mention of Karl Marx's death suggests that even though the ideologies that championed the working class may seem outdated or 'dead' to the wealthy, the issues of inequality and social justice are very much alive. Serrat's song is a call to recognize the persistent social inequalities and the responsibilities of the privileged towards the less fortunate.