Albada de La Ausencia

José Antonio Labordeta's song 'Albada de La Ausencia' is a poignant reflection on the sorrow and reluctance of leaving one's homeland. The lyrics convey a deep sense of attachment to the land, its mountains, and rivers, and the pain of being forced to leave against one's will. Labordeta's words, 'Me marcho porque me empujan, nunca lo hubiera querido' (I leave because I am pushed, I never would have wanted to), highlight the external pressures and circumstances that compel the departure, rather than a voluntary choice.

The song also explores the idea of presence in absence. Despite physically leaving, the narrator insists, 'Aunque me voy, no me voy, aunque me voy, no me ausento' (Although I leave, I do not leave, although I leave, I am not absent). This suggests that while the body may be gone, the spirit and thoughts remain deeply rooted in the homeland. This duality of being both present and absent underscores the emotional complexity of migration and the enduring connection to one's origins.

Labordeta also touches on themes of social injustice and hope for a better future. He mentions the 'latifundios baldíos' (barren large estates) and those who exploit the land's resources, indicating a critique of socio-economic inequalities. The farewell is not just personal but collective, wishing health, life, and peace to those left behind. The hope for a future where everyone can sing the 'Albada' in freedom and good treatment reflects a longing for social change and a return to a more just and harmonious community.