La Torre De Babel
Los Tres
The Tragic Tale of Gabriel the Cigarette
The song "La Torre De Babel" by Los Tres tells a metaphorical story using cigarettes as characters to convey a narrative of disobedience, consequence, and loss. The Tower of Babel, a biblical symbol of human pride and the resulting confusion, serves as the setting for this tale, where fifty cigarettes live together, personified with human traits and emotions.
The protagonist, a small cigarette named Gabriel, has a passion for swimming in the river, which is against the norms of his community. Despite the risks, Gabriel's uncle, an old honey cigarette, does not stop him. When a coffee-wrapped cigar, representing authority, learns of Gabriel's actions, he expresses concern for the young cigarette's safety. The story takes a tragic turn when Gabriel is found dead by the river, damp and lifeless, a victim of his own choices. The community of Babel is left in mourning, with the song drawing a parallel between a wet cigarette's death and the hanging of a man, emphasizing the finality and sadness of the loss.
Through this allegory, Los Tres may be commenting on the dangers of reckless behavior and the inevitability of death. The song also touches on themes of youth and rebellion, as well as the impact of loss on a community. The narrative is a poignant reminder that actions have consequences, and sometimes those consequences are irreversible, leaving behind only grief and silence.