Carolina

The song "Carolina" by La Mancha de Rolando, an Argentine rock band known for their storytelling lyrics and social commentary, narrates the story of a girl named Carolina who grows up in a challenging environment. The opening lines introduce us to a small town characterized by its marginalized inhabitants, where Carolina, a girl described as tough and resilient ('una nena con cojones'), is born. The lyrics suggest that she grew up facing adversity, hinted at by the phrase 'grew up with her back to the sea,' which could symbolize a lack of opportunities or a hard life.

As Carolina matures, she longs for a better life, symbolized by her desire for a rock musician who can offer her romance ('que le regale flores') and a metaphorical 'castle of songs,' representing a life filled with music and perhaps escape from her harsh reality. The city of Montevideo is mentioned, possibly as a place of hope or escape, where she seeks to release her frustrations ('que suelten los leones') and stop crying in the corners.

The latter part of the song reveals a conversation between the narrator and Carolina, where the narrator admits to being married and unable to fulfill her dreams of an idealized love. Carolina, disillusioned and possibly under the influence of substances ('tan pasada'), struggles to believe in the narrator's words. The song concludes with a sense of transience and unfulfilled desires, as the narrator suggests a temporary comfort ('Vámonos a dormir Carolina'), acknowledging the fleeting nature of their connection and the reality that he cannot provide the care or love she seeks.