Queda Tan Lejos

María Elena Walsh's song 'Queda Tan Lejos' delves into the themes of nostalgia and the longing for the simplicity of childhood. The lyrics reflect a deep sense of yearning to return to a time when life was less complicated and more innocent. The repeated phrase 'Había una vez' (Once upon a time) evokes the beginning of fairy tales, suggesting a desire to return to a magical, simpler past. This repetition emphasizes the contrast between the innocence of childhood and the complexities of adulthood.

The song also explores the difficulty of looking back with simplicity. The line 'Ay, qué difícil es mirar con sencillez' (Oh, how difficult it is to look with simplicity) highlights the challenge of recapturing the straightforward perspective of a child. The mirror metaphor in 'Volverme a ver en el espejo de la niñez' (To see myself again in the mirror of childhood) suggests a reflection on one's past self, which now seems distant and almost unreachable. This distance is further emphasized by the phrase 'Queda tan lejos' (It is so far away), underscoring the emotional and temporal gap between the present and the past.

Fear and uncertainty also play significant roles in the song. The lyrics 'Si me da miedo, qué voy a hacer' (If I am afraid, what will I do) and 'Puedo y no puedo retroceder' (I can and cannot go back) express the ambivalence and apprehension associated with revisiting the past. The crystal ball metaphor in 'Ay, bola de cristal que augura para atrás' (Oh, crystal ball that predicts backwards) suggests a desire to foresee the past, which is paradoxical and highlights the complexity of dealing with memories. The song captures the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, where the past is cherished but also tinged with the pain of its unattainability.