El Tiempo a Solas

La Oreja de Van Gogh's song 'El Tiempo a Solas' delves into the themes of solitude, longing, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person reflecting on their life and the years that have passed since a significant other left. The imagery of 'hojas secas en mi jardín' (dry leaves in my garden) symbolizes the decay and stagnation that the protagonist feels in their life without their loved one. Despite this, they acknowledge that this solitary existence is the only way they know how to live.

The song also explores the concept of time as a relentless force, with lines like 'Silba el tiempo detrás de mí' (time whistles behind me) and 'Paso el tiempo muerto a solas descifrando a Dios' (I spend dead time alone deciphering God). These lines suggest a sense of being haunted by time and a search for meaning or divine understanding in the face of loneliness. The repeated phrase 'muerto el tiempo, muerto el corazón' (dead time, dead heart) underscores the emotional numbness and despair that accompany this solitude.

In the chorus, the protagonist expresses a deep yearning to reunite with their loved one, imagining a scenario where they could 'coger tu mano y cara a cara volar' (take your hand and fly face to face). This longing is so intense that they would declare their love 'sin piedad' (without mercy). The song concludes with a poignant wish that if silence comes for them, it finds them thinking of their loved one, as this thought brings them happiness. 'El Tiempo a Solas' is a powerful exploration of the human condition, capturing the pain of loss, the passage of time, and the enduring hope for reunion.