Arboles de la barranca

Los Alegres de La Sierra's song 'Árboles de la Barranca' is a beautiful blend of nature imagery and romantic longing. The song opens with a vivid description of trees in a ravine that have not turned green because they haven't been watered with the river's blooming water. This metaphor sets the stage for the central theme of the song: unfulfilled love. Just as the trees need water to thrive, the singer's love needs nurturing to flourish.

The recurring line 'Me puse a amar a una mujer con la ilusión de amar' (I started to love a woman with the illusion of loving) underscores the singer's hopeful yet ultimately unfulfilled romantic endeavors. The use of 'ilusión' (illusion) suggests a sense of disillusionment or unrequited love, adding a layer of melancholy to the song. The singer's admiration for a woman in a white dress, whom he considers the best among three passing women, further emphasizes his longing and idealization of love.

The song also incorporates playful and folkloric elements, such as the anecdote about a frog being turned over and its belly rubbed with ash by another frog. This imagery adds a touch of humor and earthiness, grounding the song in everyday rural life. The final verse, where the singer talks about going to the ravine to plant rice and teaching a young girl how to 'mancuernan dos' (how two people pair up), brings the song full circle, combining themes of nature, labor, and love. This blend of romantic yearning and natural imagery makes 'Árboles de la Barranca' a poignant and relatable piece.