Bajo El Tinglao

José Larralde's song 'Bajo El Tinglao' paints a vivid picture of rural life, using the metaphor of cooking to explore themes of survival, resilience, and the harsh realities of existence. The lyrics revolve around the act of preparing a meal, but this simple task is imbued with deeper meaning. The repeated advice to 'échele fuego a la olla' (put fire to the pot) suggests a need to keep going despite limited resources. The meal, described as a mix of whatever is available, symbolizes the improvisation and resourcefulness required to get by in tough times.

The character of Don Casimiro, the cook, is a central figure in the song. He is depicted as 'medio curcuncho y quebrao' (half-bent and broken), a man who has seen better days but continues to fulfill his role. His portrayal as 'más ligero que un purgao' (quicker than a purge) and 'escondiendo entre los cueros, los vicios que ha caloteao' (hiding among the leathers, the vices he has swindled) adds layers to his character, suggesting a life of hardship and perhaps moral ambiguity. Despite his flaws, Don Casimiro is a survivor, embodying the resilience and tenacity needed to endure.

The song's setting, 'bajo el tinglao' (under the shed), serves as a microcosm of the larger world. The imagery of pigs waiting and the unpeeled potatoes in the aluminum plate highlight the raw, unpolished nature of life in this environment. The final lines, 'toda la vida es un guiso cuando uno anda mal pisao' (all life is a stew when one is down), encapsulate the song's central message: life is a mix of good and bad, and sometimes it’s a slow-cooked struggle. Larralde's lyrics, rich in colloquial expressions and rural imagery, offer a poignant reflection on the human condition, particularly within the context of rural Argentina.