El Borracho

Manuel Ruiz Queco's song 'El Borracho' paints a vivid and somewhat tragicomic picture of a man whose life is dominated by his addiction to alcohol. The lyrics follow the protagonist as he wanders the streets, begging for small amounts of money and items to sustain his habits. The repetitive nature of his requests for 'papelillos de fumar' (rolling papers) and 'seis euritos pa comer' (six euros to eat) highlights the cyclical and unending nature of his addiction. Despite his constant state of inebriation, he remains a figure of fascination and pity, as indicated by the repeated exclamation of 'Impresionante' (impressive) in the chorus.

The song delves deeper into the man's life, revealing that he once had dreams of being a bullfighter ('en sus sueños fue torero'), but those dreams have long been overshadowed by his alcoholism. His life is a series of drunken escapades, singing and dancing in taverns, and ultimately, a failed attempt to 'fly' from a high place, leading to his hospitalization. This tragic turn of events underscores the destructive nature of his addiction, which has not only ruined his dreams but also his physical well-being.

In the final verses, the man’s story takes a surreal turn as he imagines himself in the afterlife, asking Saint Peter where the bar is. Saint Peter's response, 'Aquí no existen las tajás' (Here, there are no drunken states), serves as a sobering reminder that his earthly vices have no place in the afterlife. The man's request to either sleep in Jerez to drink wine or in Ceuta to smoke further emphasizes his inability to escape his addictions, even in death. 'El Borracho' is a poignant commentary on the destructive cycle of addiction, blending humor and tragedy to create a memorable narrative.