Ma tristesa

Lluís Llach's song 'Ma tristesa' is a poignant exploration of love, longing, and the human condition. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a personified sadness, depicted as a figure dressed in rags, wandering alone, and offering love to anyone willing to accept it. This sadness is not just a burden but also a source of wealth and freedom for the narrator, who expresses a deep desire to be united with it, even to the point of death. The metaphor of sadness as a princess and a chain highlights the complex relationship humans have with their emotions, where sorrow can be both a source of pain and a profound connection to life itself.

The song also delves into the universal experience of being misunderstood and ignored. The sadness is seen by a child who does not recognize it and by an old man who treasures it as his last remaining possession. This contrast between youth and old age underscores the timeless nature of sorrow and how it is perceived differently at various stages of life. The child’s inability to understand sadness and the old man's intimate familiarity with it reflect the journey of human experience and the inevitable encounter with sorrow as one ages.

Llach's lyrics further emphasize the societal rejection of sadness, describing it as a witch chained by fools. Despite this, the sadness remains steadfast in its purpose to love. This portrayal of sadness as a misunderstood and marginalized entity speaks to the broader theme of how society often shuns what it does not understand. The repeated refrain of the narrator's wish to die with sadness any evening encapsulates the deep, almost romantic connection to this emotion, suggesting that embracing sorrow is an integral part of the human experience.