No Cierres Los Ojos, Niño
Rocío Jurado
A Mother's Plea: The Fear of Losing Her Child
Rocío Jurado's song "No Cierres Los Ojos, Niño" is a poignant and emotional plea from a mother to her child, urging him to stay awake. The lyrics are filled with a deep sense of fear and sadness, as the mother expresses her distress at the thought of her child closing his eyes and potentially slipping away. The repeated refrain, "No cierres los ojos niño" (Don't close your eyes, child), underscores the mother's desperation and her desire to keep her child present and alive in her world.
The song uses vivid and imaginative imagery to create a sense of wonder and enchantment, such as the "luna de chocolate" (chocolate moon) and "luceritos de canela" (cinnamon stars). These whimsical descriptions are meant to captivate the child's attention and keep him engaged, preventing him from falling asleep. The mother even resorts to telling scary stories about wolves and witches, hoping to keep her child awake out of fear. This highlights the lengths to which she is willing to go to ensure her child's safety and presence.
Underlying the mother's plea is a profound fear of loss and the unknown. The lyrics convey a sense of helplessness and vulnerability, as the mother admits that seeing her child sleep fills her with sadness and fear. She longs for her child to be active, to cry, to sing, and to play, as these are signs of life and vitality. The song captures the universal fear of losing a loved one and the deep emotional bond between a mother and her child, making it a powerful and moving piece of music.