La Llorona

The song 'La Llorona' performed by ROSALÍA is a haunting rendition of a traditional Mexican folk song. The lyrics tell the story of La Llorona, a figure from Latin American folklore who is said to be the ghost of a woman who lost her children and now cries while looking for them in the river. This figure is often used to convey themes of loss, sorrow, and the pain of motherhood.

In ROSALÍA's interpretation, the repetition of 'Ay de mí, llorona, llorona, llévame al río' (Woe is me, Llorona, Llorona, take me to the river) suggests a deep connection with the sorrow and the desire to be taken to a place of solace, which in this context is the river. The river could symbolize a place of cleansing or a final resting place for the troubled soul. The request to be covered with a shawl because of the cold further emphasizes the vulnerability and the need for protection or comfort in the face of overwhelming grief.

The verse about the flowers of the holy field that seem to cry when the wind moves them is a powerful metaphor for the enduring nature of grief. It suggests that the natural world empathizes with the sorrow of La Llorona, or perhaps that the sorrow is so profound that it permeates everything around her. ROSALÍA's emotive performance adds depth to the lyrics, making 'La Llorona' a poignant exploration of the themes of mourning and the human condition.