Fe De Vida
Joan Manuel Serrat
The Celebration and Complexity of Life in 'Fe De Vida'
Joan Manuel Serrat's song 'Fe De Vida' is a profound meditation on the multifaceted nature of life. The lyrics are a poetic exploration of existence, capturing the essence of life through various sensory experiences and emotional states. Serrat begins by affirming life through his senses—eyes that see, hands that touch, and a mouth that speaks. This sensory immersion underscores the immediacy and tangibility of life, suggesting that life is something to be experienced fully and directly.
The repetition of the word 'vida' (life) throughout the song serves as a powerful mantra, emphasizing the omnipresence and diversity of life. Serrat describes life in its many forms: life that gives, life that captures, life that laughs, life that kisses, life that hurts, and life that dies. This litany of life's attributes highlights its dual nature—joy and pain, creation and destruction, presence and absence. By acknowledging these contrasts, Serrat paints a holistic picture of life, one that is both beautiful and tragic, simple and complex.
Serrat also delves into the temporal aspects of life, referencing dreams yet to be realized and failures that have come to pass. This acknowledgment of both hope and disappointment adds depth to his portrayal of life, suggesting that it is a journey marked by both light and shadow. The imagery of life looking into a 'miserable mirror' reflects the introspective nature of the song, inviting listeners to contemplate their own experiences and perceptions of life. Ultimately, 'Fe De Vida' is a celebration of life in all its forms, urging us to embrace it with open arms, despite its inherent contradictions and challenges.