Arroyo de mi infancia

Salvatore Adamo's song 'Arroyo de mi infancia' is a poignant reflection on the innocence and simplicity of childhood, juxtaposed with the inevitable loss and longing that come with growing up. The lyrics are a heartfelt plea to a 'blue stream'—a metaphor for the singer's childhood memories—to recount the days of youthful exuberance and untainted dreams.

The song opens with a request to the stream to speak of the singer's childhood, a time filled with eager curiosity and unbridled joy. The 'blue stream' symbolizes the flow of time and the purity of those early years. Adamo reminisces about the 'delirios' or wild dreams of his tender age and the 'color of those lilies that never wither,' representing the everlasting beauty of those memories. The mention of Sundays and 'dreams of paper' evokes a sense of nostalgia for simpler times when even the smallest moments were filled with wonder and affection.

As the song progresses, the tone shifts to a more melancholic reflection on the passage of time and the pain of lost innocence. The 'vendaval' or gale that left him indifferent symbolizes the harsh realities of adulthood that have swept away the innocence of youth. The singer laments the wounds inflicted by life, questioning why he was hurt. The final verses reveal a sense of resignation and acceptance, as he acknowledges that he has awakened from a 'white dream' to the reality of being an adult. The act of blaming the water for his fall signifies an attempt to reconcile with the past and move forward.

'Corre, corre mi infancia'—'Run, run my childhood'—captures the essence of the song, a bittersweet chase after memories that can never be relived. Adamo's evocative lyrics and emotive delivery make 'Arroyo de mi infancia' a touching ode to the fleeting nature of childhood and the enduring impact of those formative years.