Mi Calle

Joan Manuel Serrat's song 'Mi Calle' paints a vivid and intimate portrait of a humble, working-class street. The lyrics are rich with sensory details, evoking the sights, sounds, and smells of a place that is both ordinary and deeply meaningful. Serrat describes his street as 'oscura y torcida' (dark and twisted), with a 'sabor a puerto' (taste of the port) and 'nombre de poeta' (name of a poet). This sets the tone for a place that is gritty and real, yet imbued with a certain poetic charm.

The street is depicted as a microcosm of life, filled with people from all walks of life who 'curra y bebe' (work and drink), 'suda y come' (sweat and eat), and engage in simple pleasures like going to football games or fishing. The imagery of 'balcones llenos de ropa tendida' (balconies full of hanging clothes) and 'cien portales rotos a pedazos' (a hundred broken doorways) adds to the sense of a place that is worn and weathered, yet full of life and community. The street is a place where children play games like 'cavall fort' and where people gather in bars and bakeries, creating a sense of belonging and shared experience.

Serrat's lyrics also touch on the passage of time and the inevitable decay that comes with it. He laments that 'poco a poco se me va estropeando mi calle' (little by little my street is deteriorating), capturing a sense of nostalgia and loss. This theme is underscored by the mention of childhood memories, such as playing with 'peonzas' (spinning tops) and collecting 'cromos' (trading cards), which evoke a simpler, more innocent time. Through 'Mi Calle,' Serrat offers a poignant reflection on the beauty and fragility of everyday life, making the song a timeless ode to the places that shape us.