Al Ver Pasar a María

José Luis Perales' song "Al Ver Pasar a María" tells the poignant story of a woman named María, who is misunderstood and judged by her community. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of María as she walks past the narrator's door, dressed in velvet, with pale skin and dark hair, but carrying a faded smile. The townspeople label her as a 'bad woman,' but the narrator insists that this is a lie; María is, in fact, a beautiful woman who once sought freedom and love.

The song delves into María's past, revealing that she left a man she once adored in search of her own freedom. This decision led to her being ostracized and ridiculed by the community. Despite their laughter and scorn, María tries to cope by singing to forget her sorrows. The repetitive 'La, la...' in the lyrics underscores her attempt to find solace in music, even as she faces relentless judgment.

The narrative takes a somber turn as the song describes the toll of the church bells and the children's cries, signaling that someone has died. It is revealed that María has passed away, leaving behind her loneliness in an empty house. The community's perception of her remains unchanged, but the narrator continues to defend her, emphasizing that she was never the 'bad woman' they claimed. María's death marks the end of her struggle for acceptance and freedom, and the song closes with the haunting realization that she will no longer sing to forget her pain.