Sorpresa

The song 'Sorpresa' by Rubén Blades is a narrative that unfolds in the streets at night, telling a story of crime, fate, and the unexpected turns life can take. The lyrics begin with a drunk man who has just had a stroke of good fortune, only to be interrupted by a thief demanding his newfound possessions. The thief, armed with a gun, is surprised to find the drunk man carrying a weapon and money, prompting him to demand the full story, hinting at a deeper, darker tale behind the drunk man's possessions.

As the song progresses, the thief follows the information given by the drunk man and stumbles upon two bodies, a man and a woman, lying on the sidewalk. The thief recognizes the man as Pedro Navaja, a character from another of Blades' songs, known for his criminal activities. The thief mocks Pedro Navaja, unaware that he is still alive. In a sudden twist, Pedro Navaja stabs the thief, who dies witnessing what he perceives as a miraculous sunrise. Pedro then cleverly plants his identification on the thief to mislead the authorities and escapes, laughing at the irony of the situation.

The chorus of the song, 'A veces hablar resulta esencial, pero otras veces es mejor callar porque a veces hablar resulta un error mortal,' translates to 'Sometimes speaking is essential, but other times it's better to remain silent because sometimes speaking can be a deadly mistake.' This refrain underscores the theme of the song: the unpredictable nature of life and the consequences of our actions. The song serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of the criminal underworld and the unexpected outcomes that can result from our choices.