La Cigarra

Linda Ronstadt's 'La Cigarra' is a song steeped in metaphor and emotion, reflecting on themes of sorrow, unrequited love, and the desire to embrace life until the end. The song's title, 'La Cigarra,' translates to 'The Cicada,' an insect known for its distinctive song and the fact that it sings until its death, which is a central metaphor in the song.

The lyrics begin with a plea for the cicada to stop singing, as its song pierces the soul like a dagger, especially with the knowledge that the cicada's song is a harbinger of its own demise. This can be interpreted as a reflection on the pain of life's hardships and the inevitability of death. The mention of the sailor and the depths of the sea introduces a comparison between the darkness of the ocean and the singer's own sorrows, suggesting a depth of emotion that is profound and consuming.

The song also touches on the theme of unrequited love through the image of a wounded dove searching for a love that is returned. This symbolizes the universal quest for love and the heartache that often accompanies it. The final verses express a desire to live life fully and to 'die singing like the cicada,' embracing the end with the same passion with which one has lived. Ronstadt's rendition of this traditional Mexican huapango is filled with both joy and melancholy, capturing the complex emotions that the lyrics convey.