Lustrabotas de Avenida

“Lustrabotas de Avenida” by Pastoral paints a poignant picture of the life of a shoeshiner, a figure often overlooked and marginalized in society. The song delves into the daily struggles and ironies faced by this individual, who is depicted as a 'lustrador de las miserias ambulantes' (polisher of wandering miseries). The lyrics highlight the societal disdain and the physical grime that the shoeshiner endures, with people using gloves to shake his hand, emphasizing the social and physical distance between him and the rest of society.

The song also touches on the shoeshiner's daily routine and the tools of his trade, such as the 'arma de cerda' (bristle weapon), which he uses to polish shoes. Despite his hard work, he remains an 'alumno sin maestro' (student without a teacher), suggesting a life of self-taught survival and resilience. The shoeshiner is a symbol of the working class, struggling to make a living in a world that often ignores his existence. The lyrics evoke a sense of empathy and sorrow for the shoeshiner, who is seen as a fighter against the 'ironía cotidiana' (daily irony) of his life.

The final verses of the song reflect on the shoeshiner's life and death, suggesting that his life, though filled with hardship, was also one of dignity and resilience. The mention of his 'epitafio listo' (ready epitaph) and a 'diez de graduado en la vida' (a ten in life's graduation) underscores the idea that his experiences and struggles have given him a profound understanding of life. The song ends on a melancholic note, with the narrator expressing deep love and sorrow for the shoeshiner, mourning his death 'entre diarios y franelas' (among newspapers and cloths), which symbolize the tools of his trade and the life he led.