La Mendiga

Luis Alberto Spinetta's song 'La Mendiga' paints a vivid picture of a solitary figure wandering the streets of Balvanera, a neighborhood in Buenos Aires. The lyrics describe a person who seems to be lost in their own world, whistling and wandering aimlessly. This character is depicted as someone who is deeply introspective, talking to themselves and seemingly disconnected from the world around them. The imagery of 'harapos' (rags) despite having 'guita' (money) suggests a deeper emotional or psychological poverty, hinting at a life weighed down by past experiences and unfulfilled desires.

The recurring question in the song, '¿no fue tu amor lo predecible, al fin?' (wasn't your love predictable, after all?), reflects a sense of inevitability and resignation. This line suggests that the character's love was doomed from the start, leading to a predictable end where their partner left them. The metaphor of 'sus alas de piedra' (wings of stone) conveys a sense of heavy, burdensome escape, indicating that the partner's departure was not a liberating flight but a weighted, inevitable separation. The 'ojos de estrella en la tempestad' (starry eyes in the storm) evoke an image of hope and beauty amidst chaos, further emphasizing the character's inner turmoil and longing.

The song also explores themes of time and stagnation. The lines 'la mañana que no asoma por tus horas' (the morning that doesn't dawn for your hours) and 'tus horas que no pasan ni vuelven' (your hours that neither pass nor return) suggest a life stuck in a loop, unable to move forward or find closure. The character's cries that 'grita y no grita' (screams and doesn't scream) reflect a silent suffering, a pain that is both expressed and suppressed. This duality captures the essence of their internal struggle, making 'La Mendiga' a poignant exploration of heartache, solitude, and the human condition.