La Vida Que Yo He Pasado
Los Tres
The Struggles of Street Life: An Analysis of 'La Vida Que Yo He Pasado'
The song 'La Vida Que Yo He Pasado' by Los Tres paints a vivid picture of the hardships faced by someone living on the streets. The lyrics, delivered with a sense of resignation and melancholy, reflect the daily struggles for survival and the search for warmth and companionship in a harsh environment. The repeated phrase 'Caramba, la vida que yo he pasado' translates to 'Damn, the life that I have lived,' emphasizing the tough experiences the narrator has endured.
The reference to the Mapocho Bridge situates the song in a specific location, likely in Chile where the band originates, and symbolizes the divide between different social realities. The imagery of making fire with rags ('huaipe') and being covered with 'gangochos' (likely a term for makeshift covers or rags) illustrates the desperate measures taken to stay warm. The mention of cats as the narrator's best friends and the use of baking soda ('bicarbonato') to ward off fleas further highlights the loneliness and resourcefulness of street life.
The song's somber tone is accentuated by the line 'Bicarbonato sí, caramba triste y sombrío,' which suggests a bleak and shadowy existence. The physical discomfort of shivering ('me tiritan los cuernos') during the winters adds to the sense of vulnerability. Overall, 'La Vida Que Yo He Pasado' is a poignant reflection on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the small comforts that can be found even in the most difficult circumstances.