El Coyuyo Y La Tortuga

Los Chalchaleros' song 'El Coyuyo Y La Tortuga' is a poignant exploration of unfulfilled love, societal constraints, and the inevitable passage of time. The lyrics tell the story of a love that is thwarted by external forces, specifically the disapproval of a father who forbids his daughter from loving a 'trovero' or troubadour. The singer acknowledges that the woman he loves will marry another man, despite not loving him, and this marriage will be like a 'cazal y jaula dorada'—a golden cage, beautiful but imprisoning.

The song uses the metaphor of the 'coyuyo' (a type of cicada) and the 'tortuga' (turtle) to contrast two different approaches to life. The coyuyo, like the troubadour, spends its summer singing, living fully in the moment. In contrast, the tortuga lives a long but sorrowful life, symbolizing the woman's future in a loveless marriage. The singer laments that she will 'sembrar en tu vientre el llanto'—plant tears in her womb—indicating a life of sorrow and unfulfilled potential.

As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the inevitability of death and the importance of living a life true to one's desires. He vows to continue singing, even when the 'vino del olvido'—the wine of forgetfulness—tries to erase his pain. The final verses are a somber reminder that time lost cannot be regained, and the woman will look back with regret, realizing too late that she missed her chance for true happiness. The song ends with a powerful statement about the finality of life and love, emphasizing that we only live once, and we must make the most of it before it's too late.