Sueño Con Serpientes

Silvio Rodriguez's 'Sueño Con Serpientes' is a song that delves into the metaphorical battle against internal struggles and the persistence of such battles throughout life. The song begins with a quote from Bertolt Brecht, which sets the tone for the theme of lifelong struggle. Brecht's words distinguish between those who fight for different lengths of time and those who are deemed 'indispensable' for their lifelong commitment to the fight. This introduction serves as a prelude to the personal and introspective journey that follows in the lyrics.

The serpents in the song symbolize recurring challenges or vices that the narrator faces. These serpents of the sea are described as transparent and carrying in their bellies what they can snatch from love, suggesting that these struggles are both visible to the narrator and have the capacity to take away from the purity or goodness of love. The refrain 'I kill it and a bigger one appears' reflects the Sisyphean nature of the narrator's battles, where overcoming one challenge only leads to a greater one. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition, where personal growth and overcoming obstacles are part of an endless cycle.

The song concludes with the narrator being swallowed by a serpent, which could represent being consumed by one's fears or challenges. However, even as the narrator is being digested, they destroy the serpent from within by planting a verse of truth in its stomach. This act of defiance and resilience suggests that the power of creativity, truth, and perhaps the human spirit can overcome even the most daunting of internal battles. The cyclical nature of the song's narrative, where each victory leads to a new challenge, speaks to the ongoing struggle for personal betterment and the importance of perseverance.