Desarma y sangra

Mercedes Sosa's song "Desarma y sangra" delves into the complexities of human existence, love, and the search for meaning. The opening lines, "Tu tiempo es un vidrio, tu amor un fakir," use vivid metaphors to describe the fragility of time and the painful, ascetic nature of love. The imagery of a body as a needle and a mind as a tapestry suggests a delicate and intricate connection between physical and mental states. The mention of leeches that cannot harm and the absence of a school to teach life underscores the idea that some experiences and pains are beyond conventional understanding or remedy.

The second stanza introduces a more surreal and almost dystopian vision. The angel who watches over and punishes the thief by cutting off his hands and taking his voice symbolizes a loss of agency and expression. This act of divine or moral retribution leads to a society where people hide or barely exist, forgetting both humanity and divinity. This imagery paints a bleak picture of a world where fear and repression dominate, leading to a loss of spiritual and moral direction.

In the final lines, the singer reflects on the wounds and suspicions that surround them, contemplating the nature of the soul. The phrase "pensando en el alma que piensa y por pensar no es alma" suggests a paradox where overthinking leads to a loss of essence or spirit. The concluding words, "desarma y sangra," evoke a sense of disarmament and bleeding, symbolizing vulnerability and the inevitable pain that comes with deep introspection and existential questioning. Through this song, Mercedes Sosa invites listeners to ponder the delicate balance between thought and being, and the inherent suffering in the human condition.