El Pajaro

Lhasa de Sela's song 'El Pajaro' is a poetic exploration of awakening and transformation through the metaphor of a bird. The lyrics convey a sense of renewal and a return to life, as the singer repeatedly states, 'Mirenme a la vida vuelvo ya' (Look at me, I am returning to life). This line suggests a rebirth or a significant change in the singer's state of being, possibly after a period of darkness or stagnation.

The bird, or 'pajarillo,' serves as a catalyst for this transformation. It awakens the singer, teaching her how to live and love. The bird's role is both enlightening and condemning, as it brings the singer to an 'amor sin final' (a love without end). This eternal love could be interpreted as a deep, all-consuming passion that the singer cannot escape. The repetition of the phrase 'Pajaro me despertaste' (Bird, you woke me up) emphasizes the bird's pivotal role in this awakening, while the line 'Pajaro no sé por qué' (Bird, I don't know why) reflects the singer's confusion and wonder at this sudden change.

The imagery of the abyss ('En un abismo yo te esperé' - In an abyss, I waited for you) adds a layer of depth to the song. The abyss represents a place of waiting and longing, where the singer falls in love with the very void she inhabits. This paradoxical love for the abyss suggests a complex emotional state, where the singer finds beauty and meaning in her own suffering and longing. The bird's awakening call pulls her out of this abyss, leading her to a new understanding of life and love.

Lhasa de Sela's haunting voice and the repetitive, almost hypnotic structure of the song enhance its themes of transformation, love, and existential wonder. The song invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences of awakening and the mysterious forces that guide them through life.