Firmes

Melendi's song 'Firmes' is a poignant critique of the harsh realities of war and the profound injustices faced by soldiers. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of young men, armed and ready, waiting for an enemy they don't fully understand. These soldiers, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism, are ultimately forgotten by the very nation they serve. The song questions who is responsible for robbing these young men of their freedom and turning them into instruments of death, highlighting the manipulation and exploitation inherent in war.

The song also draws a stark contrast between the lives of the soldiers and the lives of the leaders' children. While the soldiers are sent to the front lines, facing death and destruction, the children of the leaders are depicted as playing polo, far removed from the horrors of the battlefield. This juxtaposition underscores the disparity and hypocrisy in the way different social classes experience war. The soldiers are left with physical and emotional scars, symbolized by 'furacos en el cuerpo y remiendos en el alma' (holes in the body and patches in the soul), while the privileged remain untouched.

'Firmes' also touches on the futility and senselessness of war. The soldiers, who are more dead than alive, continue their march, with their only destiny being a telegram to their families. The song calls for an end to treaties made with hearts, urging leaders to set aside their pretensions and recognize the human cost of their decisions. Melendi's powerful lyrics serve as a reminder that the true victims of war are not the leaders who declare it, but the young men who are sent to fight and die, leaving behind nothing but their voices to tell their story.