Ayer hoy era mañana

La Chicana's song 'Ayer hoy era mañana' delves into the complex and often elusive nature of time, memory, and change. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the past, present, and future as fluid and interconnected, yet frustratingly out of reach. The opening lines, 'Me quedó una foto oscura de tu cara clara, y la huella de tus pasos en la almohada,' evoke a sense of nostalgia and loss, capturing the fleeting nature of moments and memories. The 'foto oscura' (dark photo) symbolizes how memories can fade and become distorted over time, while the 'huella de tus pasos en la almohada' (footprint of your steps on the pillow) suggests the lingering presence of someone who is no longer there.

The song also touches on the idea of being trapped in the past, unable to fully grasp or understand it. The lines 'Y el pasado no lo entiendo, dónde está? Está escondido en fotos viejas? dónde está?' reflect a sense of confusion and longing for clarity. The past is depicted as a place where 'todo el tiempo dura igual' (all time lasts the same), making it difficult to move forward. This is further emphasized by the refrain 'Nací ya preparado pero el día de mañana siempre es mañana,' highlighting the perpetual postponement of the future and the frustration of waiting for change that never seems to arrive.

In the latter part of the song, the lyrics shift to a more socio-political commentary. 'La revolución se postergó y no dije nada, me dejaron una nota en la mesada' suggests a sense of resignation and missed opportunities for change. The image of 'la Molotov es un florero en mi ventana' (the Molotov cocktail is a vase in my window) poignantly illustrates how revolutionary fervor has been domesticated and rendered inert. The song concludes with a philosophical reflection on the nature of perception and inquiry: 'Y la ventana nos obliga a mirar, y la mirada nos obliga a pensar, y el pensamiento nos obliga a preguntar, y la pregunta no se puede contestar.' This sequence underscores the endless cycle of observation, thought, and questioning, ultimately leading to the realization that some questions may never have answers.