¿ A Que Volver?

Los Chalchaleros' song "¿A Que Volver?" is a poignant exploration of the emotional turmoil associated with returning to a place that has changed beyond recognition. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a home that no longer feels like home, with familiar landmarks and memories erased or altered. The opening lines describe a house and a tree that are no longer the same, symbolizing the loss of a once-familiar environment. The repeated question, "¿a qué volver?" (why return?), underscores the futility and pain of revisiting a place that no longer holds the same meaning.

The song delves deeper into this sense of loss by describing a dog watching the evening grow, a metaphor for the passage of time and the emptiness that now fills the narrator's life. The refrain questions the purpose of returning, only to feel the absence of a loved one more acutely. This absence is described as something that courses through the narrator's veins and is etched into their skin, highlighting the deep, physical pain of loss. The song suggests that returning would only reopen old wounds, making the absence even more unbearable.

Further, the lyrics mention a bridge and a river, symbols of connection and continuity, which have also been altered or removed. The reference to Tilcara, a place known for its indigenous fortress, adds a layer of cultural loss to the personal grief. The magic of the place has been lost, and even the earth itself no longer feels like earth. This profound sense of dislocation and the irreversible changes to both the physical and emotional landscape make the idea of returning seem pointless and painful.

"¿A Que Volver?" is a deeply emotional song that captures the essence of loss, change, and the painful realization that some places and memories can never be reclaimed. It speaks to anyone who has experienced the heartache of returning to a changed home and the struggle to find meaning in a place that no longer feels like their own.