Plegaria Desvelada
María Elena Walsh
Seeking Solace in Slumber: An Analysis of María Elena Walsh's 'Plegaria Desvelada'
María Elena Walsh's song 'Plegaria Desvelada' is a poignant plea for peace and natural sleep, set against the backdrop of personal turmoil and spiritual seeking. The lyrics open with a direct appeal to God, contrasting the artificial sleep induced by pills with the yearning for a more serene, natural rest. This invocation of divine intervention highlights a deep sense of vulnerability and the need for comfort that transcends mere physical rest.
As the song progresses, Walsh uses vivid imagery to describe the tranquility she seeks. She compares the peaceful sleep of fish in calm waters and birds tucking their heads under their wings to the restless sleep experienced by humans. The metaphor of nature's gentle nocturnal activities, like the bending of grass and the closing of flowers, serves as a poetic representation of the desired state of rest. This not only underscores the naturalness of sleep but also its essential, rejuvenative quality.
The final verses delve into the singer's daytime struggles and the haunting persistence of her troubles into the night. The reference to 'crying all day' and 'thorns that resurrect' when seeking rest on a pillow, poignantly illustrates the ongoing battle with grief and unrest. Walsh's call for the comforting sleep of childhood or the soothing touch of a loving relationship emphasizes a longing for a return to innocence or simpler times, free from the burdens of adult worries. This song, thus, resonates as a heartfelt prayer for relief and a return to a state of grace and peace.