Le carosse d'or

Salvatore Adamo's song "Le carosse d'or" paints a vivid and melancholic picture of a desolate and impoverished neighborhood. The lyrics describe a place where the walls are cracked and dark, and shadows tear apart the little light that exists. In this bleak setting, a golden carriage passes by, momentarily bringing a glimmer of hope and wonder to the residents, especially the children who have faces of old souls and the puppies that are not nurtured. The carriage's brief appearance is a stark contrast to the harsh reality of their lives, symbolizing a fleeting dream or an unreachable fantasy.

The golden carriage represents an absurd hope or an elusive dream that the people in this neighborhood cling to. The children, with their small hands reaching out in prayer, and the old people who have turned their heads away in eternal defeat, all look to the carriage as a symbol of something better, something magical that could change their lives. However, the carriage always passes by and leaves, never staying long enough to make a real difference. This recurring event highlights the futility and the cyclical nature of their hope and despair.

Adamo's lyrics also touch on the theme of ignorance being bliss. The line "Heureux ceux qui ne savent pas" (Happy are those who do not know) suggests that those who are unaware of the harsh realities or the false hopes are better off. The repeated questioning of the carriage's origin and destination, and whether it represents death, adds a layer of existential pondering to the song. The golden carriage could be seen as a metaphor for death, an ultimate escape from the suffering, or a false promise of a better place, like the mythical Treasure Island. The song leaves the listener with a sense of longing and unanswered questions, much like the residents who watch the golden carriage pass by.