Pela Décima Vez

Noel Rosa's song 'Pela Décima Vez' delves into the complexities of love, forgiveness, and human frailty. The lyrics reveal a narrator who has repeatedly vowed not to love again, only to find himself breaking that promise for the tenth time. This cycle of swearing off love and then succumbing to it highlights the powerful grip that habits and emotions can have over rational decisions. The narrator's struggle is a testament to the strength of emotional bonds and the difficulty of breaking free from them, even when they cause pain.

The imagery of the narrator throwing his cigarette to the ground, only to pick it up and smoke it again, serves as a metaphor for his inability to let go of his lover. This act symbolizes the futility of his attempts to break free from the relationship. The cigarette, much like his lover, is a 'veneno' (poison) that he chooses to consume despite knowing its harmful effects. This metaphor underscores the theme of self-destructive behavior driven by emotional dependency.

The song also touches on themes of betrayal and misunderstanding. The narrator learns from a neighbor that his lover has been unfaithful out of spite, leading to her imprisonment. Despite her actions, he continues to see her as innocent and remains emotionally attached. This reveals a deep sense of denial and a willingness to overlook her faults, further emphasizing the theme of weakness in the face of love. Noel Rosa's poignant lyrics capture the essence of human vulnerability and the relentless cycle of love and forgiveness.