Unicornio

Silvio Rodriguez's 'Unicornio' is a song that weaves a tapestry of melancholy and longing through the metaphor of a lost blue unicorn. The unicorn, a mythical creature often associated with purity, magic, and rarity, serves as a symbol for something precious and unique that the singer has lost. The repeated lines about the unicorn's disappearance suggest a deep sense of loss and a yearning for the return of something irreplaceable. The fact that the unicorn was last seen 'pastando' (grazing) and then 'desapareció' (disappeared) implies a sudden and unexpected loss, enhancing the emotional impact of the song.

The lyrics also touch upon the theme of friendship and the shared moments of love and truth between the singer and the unicorn. The blue unicorn's ability to 'pescaba una canción' (fish for a song) with its 'cuerno de añil' (indigo horn) hints at the creative inspiration and joy that the unicorn brought into the singer's life. The willingness to pay 'cien mil o un millón' (a hundred thousand or a million) for any information about the unicorn underscores the value and importance of the lost companion. The song's refrain of not having anything but the blue unicorn, and the singer's insistence on wanting that specific one even if they had two, speaks to the irreplaceable nature of the bond and the uniqueness of the connection.

Silvio Rodriguez is known for his poetic lyrics and his role in the Nueva Trova movement, which combines traditional folk music with political and poetic lyrics. 'Unicornio' can be seen as a reflection of Rodriguez's lyrical style, where personal emotions are conveyed through rich imagery and allegory. The song resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing something or someone dear, and the struggle to come to terms with that loss. The unicorn serves as a powerful metaphor for the elusive and fleeting moments of beauty and inspiration in our lives that, once gone, leave a void that is deeply felt.