Si yo volviera a quererte

Rolando Alárcon's song 'Si yo volviera a quererte' is a poignant exploration of the anguish and despair that accompanies unrequited love. The lyrics, collected from the central region of Bulnes, Chile, paint a vivid picture of the emotional turmoil experienced by someone who has been deeply hurt by love. The recurring phrase 'si yo volviera a quererte' (if I were to love you again) serves as a haunting refrain, emphasizing the speaker's resolve to avoid the pain of loving someone who does not reciprocate their feelings.

The imagery in the song is both powerful and evocative. The mention of a 'montaña oscura' (dark mountain) where no one lives symbolizes the isolation and desolation felt by the speaker. The idea of being killed by a stab wound if they were to love again underscores the intensity of their emotional suffering. Similarly, the lines about letting their eyes fall to the ground if they were to see the person they love again highlight the extent to which they are willing to go to avoid the agony of unrequited love.

The final verse, which speaks of being thrown into the depths of a 'río caudaloso' (mighty river), further illustrates the speaker's desire to escape the pain of their unreturned affection. The river, with its powerful currents, represents the overwhelming nature of their emotions and the lengths they would go to avoid experiencing such heartache again. Through these vivid metaphors, Alárcon captures the universal experience of love and loss, making 'Si yo volviera a quererte' a deeply relatable and emotionally resonant song.