La Pulpera de Santa Lucía

Raly Barrionuevo's song "La Pulpera de Santa Lucía" is a poignant narrative that captures the essence of longing, love, and loss. The lyrics tell the story of a beautiful woman, the pulpera, whose blonde hair and blue eyes captivated everyone in the town of Santa Lucía. Her presence was like a flower in the old parish, and her singing voice was as sweet as a calandria, a type of bird known for its melodious song. The pulpera was adored by many, including soldiers and gauchos, who frequented the pulpería, a traditional rural store and social hub in Argentina.

The song's narrative takes a turn when a payador, a traditional South American troubadour, serenades the pulpera with his vihuela, a stringed instrument. He professes his love for her, hoping that one day she will be his. However, the pulpera is eventually taken away by another payador from Lavalle, leaving the town and its admirers in sorrow. Her departure marks the end of an era, as her blue eyes no longer light up the parish of Santa Lucía, and the soldiers no longer sing vidalas and cielos, traditional Argentine folk songs, in her honor.

The song concludes with the return of the first payador, who sings a final, sorrowful serenade in the now-empty courtyard. The jasmine flowers, once fragrant and vibrant, now seem to weep with jealousy. The payador's lament echoes the collective grief of the town, as the guitars of Santa Lucía cry out for the pulpera who was never his. This melancholic ballad beautifully encapsulates themes of unrequited love, the passage of time, and the enduring impact of a beloved figure on a community.