Creo
Silvio Rodriguez
A Farewell to Love: Silvio Rodriguez's 'Creo'
Silvio Rodriguez's song 'Creo' is a poignant exploration of love, memory, and the passage of time. The lyrics open with a sense of finality, as the narrator bids a permanent farewell, acknowledging the end of a significant relationship. This farewell is described as a 'melodía de adolescente,' suggesting a youthful, perhaps naive, quality to the love that is now being left behind. The narrator reflects on the futility of waiting and the constraints of promises that, if kept, would be forced and ultimately false.
Despite the farewell, the song is imbued with optimism. The narrator believes in the moments that made their love special, such as the spontaneous leaps they took together and the 'beso de lluvia nocturna'—a romantic image of a kiss in the night rain. These memories are cherished, and the narrator holds onto the 'palabras que nos dijimos' and the 'lenguaje secreto' they created together. These elements symbolize the unique and intimate connection they shared, which remains valuable even as the relationship ends.
The song also touches on the idea of growth and learning. The narrator acknowledges the 'cosas de principiantes,' or beginner's mistakes, but emphasizes that dreaming makes people 'gigante,' or giant. This suggests that the experiences and dreams they shared were significant and transformative. The narrator will remember the 'línea que da vuelta a la tierra,' a metaphor for the enduring impact of their love, which continues to circle the earth. Ultimately, the song is a testament to the belief in the meaningfulness of past experiences and the hope that these memories will continue to inspire and guide the narrator in the future.