Canzón de Cuna Para Rosalia Castro, Morta

Leannan Shee's song "Canzón de Cuna Para Rosalia Castro, Morta" is a poignant tribute to the renowned Galician poet Rosalia de Castro. The lyrics are steeped in the rich cultural and natural imagery of Galicia, a region in Spain known for its lush landscapes and deep-rooted traditions. The song opens with a call to rise, addressing Rosalia as a beloved friend and lover, urging her to awaken to the sounds of the morning roosters and the wind that moans like a cow. This imagery evokes a sense of rural life and the intimate connection between the people and their land.

The song continues to weave a tapestry of Galician life, mentioning the plows moving back and forth from Santiago to Bethlehem, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the journey between the sacred and the mundane. The mention of an angel on a silver boat bringing the pain of Galicia highlights the region's historical struggles and the melancholic beauty that defines its cultural identity. The reference to Galicia lying down, covered in sad herbs, and the black fountain of Rosalia's hair flowing to the sea, paints a picture of mourning and loss, yet also of an eternal connection to the land and the sea.

The repeated refrain to rise, despite the sorrowful tone, suggests a call to remember and honor Rosalia de Castro's legacy. Her poetry often dealt with themes of love, nature, and the hardships of the Galician people, and this song serves as a lullaby that both mourns her death and celebrates her enduring spirit. The use of natural elements and the personification of the wind and sea create a vivid, emotional landscape that resonates with the listener, inviting them to reflect on the beauty and sorrow intertwined in Galicia's history and Rosalia's work.