De La Huella Larga (Huella)

“De La Huella Larga (Huella)” by Ruben Alberto Benegas is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, loss, and the bittersweet nature of returning to one's roots. The song opens with the narrator returning to a familiar place, whistling as he arrives. This return is not just a physical journey but an emotional one, filled with memories and the weight of time. The mention of his horse, 'flete zaino,' sensing his sadness and breaking the silence with its movements, adds a layer of companionship and shared experience in this journey back home.

The lyrics delve into the dual nature of trails or 'huellas'—one representing return and the other, painful forgetfulness. This duality captures the essence of the human experience, where memories and forgetfulness coexist, shaping our perception of the past. The narrator laments the slow passage of years filled with both memories and forgetfulness, expressing a deep yearning to return to a time that has long passed. The exclamation '¡Amhalaya!' underscores the intensity of his longing and the pain of what life has taken from him.

As the song progresses, the narrator observes the changes in his once-familiar surroundings. His former home is now just a ruin, and even the smoke from his cigarette seems to sting his eyes, symbolizing the pain of lost time and memories. Despite this, he urges himself and his horse to keep moving forward, acknowledging that the path of absence is the only one open to them now. The recurring refrain about the trail of sorrows that remains for both him and his horse encapsulates the enduring nature of loss and the inevitability of moving forward despite it.