Pialando Recuerdos (Milonga)

Ruben Alberto Benegas' song 'Pialando Recuerdos (Milonga)' is a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the passage of time. The lyrics are steeped in a deep sense of nostalgia and sorrow, as the narrator reflects on a past filled with both love and pain. The recurring plea to 'Dejala china, que duerma' (Let her sleep, my dear) suggests a desire to let the past rest undisturbed, encapsulated in the metaphor of an old guitar that holds the memories of his troubled youth.

The guitar, a symbol of the narrator's past, is described as an instrument that once resonated with his emotions but now lies forgotten. The mention of 'mi juventud enferma' (my sick youth) hints at a time of emotional turmoil, possibly due to a failed relationship. The narrator's reluctance to play the guitar again is a metaphor for his unwillingness to revisit those painful memories. The lyrics convey a sense of finality, as he speaks of burying his hopes and dreams along with the memories of a woman who caused him great heartache.

The imagery of 'cenizas' (ashes) and 'polvo de olvido' (dust of forgetfulness) further emphasizes the theme of irreversible loss. The narrator has made peace with his past, choosing to leave it buried rather than risk reopening old wounds. The song's melancholic tone and vivid metaphors paint a picture of a man who has endured great emotional suffering but has ultimately found a way to move forward by letting go of the past. Benegas' use of the milonga, a traditional Argentine musical form, adds a layer of cultural depth, connecting the personal narrative to a broader context of Argentine folklore and history.