Chiquilín de Bachín

Roberto Goyeneche's song 'Chiquilín de Bachín' paints a poignant picture of a young boy, or 'chiquilín,' who sells roses in a bar named Bachín. The lyrics are rich with imagery and metaphors that highlight the harsh realities of his life. The boy's 'cara sucia' or dirty face, likened to an angel with soot, symbolizes innocence tainted by the grime of poverty. The moonlight shining on the grill, where he eats 'luna y pan de hollín' (moon and soot bread), further emphasizes his dire circumstances, where even celestial beauty is marred by his struggle for survival.

The song delves deeper into the boy's sorrowful existence, marked by a perpetual sadness that 'no quiere amanecer' (doesn't want to dawn). The reference to 'un seis de enero' (January 6th), the day of the Epiphany, and the 'tres reyes magos' (three wise men) who steal his shoes, adds a layer of irony. Traditionally a day of joy and gifts for children, it becomes a cruel reminder of his deprivation. The boy's plea for a 'ramo de voz' (bouquet of voice) to sell his 'vergüenzas en flor' (shame in bloom) is a heart-wrenching metaphor for his desire to express his pain and perhaps find some solace or understanding.

The song also touches on the boy's futile attempts to escape his reality. Despite his efforts to learn and grow, symbolized by the 'delantales de aprender' (aprons of learning) and his makeshift kite from 'un pan y un tallarín' (bread and a noodle), he remains trapped. The 'niño de mil años' (child of a thousand years) with an 'enreda el piolín' (tangled string) inside him, signifies a soul burdened with premature wisdom and entangled in the complexities of life. Goyeneche's melancholic delivery and the evocative lyrics make 'Chiquilín de Bachín' a powerful commentary on childhood lost to poverty and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.