El Niño Que Fui

Nelson John's song 'El Niño Que Fui' is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the loss of childhood innocence and dreams. The lyrics convey a deep sense of nostalgia and a yearning to reconnect with the inner child that once harbored pure aspirations and a vivid imagination. The artist embarks on an introspective journey, searching within himself for the memories and dreams of his youth, which seem to have been misplaced amidst the hustle and bustle of adult life.

The song's chorus poses a series of rhetorical questions that express the artist's longing to rediscover the dreams he once had. The 'rutas' or paths where the dreams were lost, and the 'puertas' or doors to his inner garden that have been closed, symbolize the barriers that life has erected, preventing access to his true self and the simple joys of childhood. The repeated questioning to the child he once was suggests a belief that the answers to life's complexities and the key to happiness may lie in the pure perspective of our younger selves.

The encounter with the inner child, who is found in a corner and runs to embrace the artist, represents a moment of reconciliation and acceptance. The artist acknowledges that in trying to meet the expectations of others, he has drifted away from his authentic self. The song ends with a hopeful note that the inner child might hold the key to unlocking the chest of forgotten dreams, implying that it is never too late to reconnect with our past and the essence of who we are.