Que Volen Aquesta Gent
Maria del Mar Bonet
The Dawn Knock: A Tale of Fear and Loss
The song "Que Volen Aquesta Gent" by Maria del Mar Bonet is a poignant narrative that unfolds the story of a mother's encounter with an ominous early morning knock at the door. The repeated question, 'Què volen aquesta gent que truquen de matinada?' which translates to 'What do these people want, knocking at dawn?' sets a tone of foreboding and uncertainty that permeates the song.
The lyrics describe the mother's confusion and fear as she answers the door in her robe, only to be confronted with a group of people looking for her son. The son, an involved student, is described as having been restless and anxious in the nights leading up to this fateful morning, perhaps anticipating the visit. The song builds tension as it becomes clear that the son is deeply concerned about something, and the mother is unaware of the full extent of his troubles.
Tragically, the song culminates with the son's reaction to the knock. In a desperate attempt to escape whatever fate awaits him at the hands of the visitors, he jumps out of the window, leading to his death. The mother's scream following the son's fall is a harrowing moment that captures the essence of the song—a chilling narrative of political repression, fear, and the ultimate price of standing up for one's beliefs during times of turmoil. The song, while not explicit in its historical context, can be interpreted as a reflection on the oppression faced by individuals under authoritarian regimes, particularly during the Francoist period in Spain.