El

Mercedes Sosa's song "El" delves deep into the themes of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The opening lines, "Un corazón de madera / Tengo que mandarme hacer; / Que no padezca ni sienta, / Ni sepa lo que es querer," suggest a desire to numb oneself from the pain of love. The metaphor of a wooden heart symbolizes a wish to be devoid of feelings, to escape the suffering that comes with loving someone who does not reciprocate those feelings.

The imagery of the stars and the sands of the sea in the lines, "Las estrellitas del cielo / Y las arenas del mar / Se parecen a mis penas, / Que no acabo de contar," paints a picture of endless sorrow. Just as the stars and sands are countless, so too are the speaker's pains, indicating a profound and overwhelming sense of grief. This comparison emphasizes the vastness and depth of the emotional suffering experienced by the speaker.

The song's central theme is encapsulated in the stanza, "Un imposible me mata; / Por un imposible muero: / Imposible es conseguir / El imposible que quiero." Here, the speaker acknowledges the futility of their desire, recognizing that what they long for is unattainable. This acknowledgment of an impossible love leads to a sense of despair and resignation. The final lines, "Dicen que las penas matan: / Yo digo que no es así; / Que si las penas mataran, / Ya me hubieran muerto a mí," reflect a paradoxical resilience. Despite the intense pain, the speaker remains alive, suggesting that while sorrow is deeply felt, it is not enough to destroy them completely.

Mercedes Sosa, known for her powerful voice and poignant lyrics, often explores themes of social justice, love, and human suffering. In "El," she captures the essence of unfulfilled desire and the enduring nature of emotional pain, resonating with anyone who has experienced the heartache of impossible love.