La Mujer Del Puerto

Susana Zabaleta's song "La Mujer Del Puerto" delves into the life of a woman who sells pleasure to sailors who come from the sea. The lyrics paint a poignant picture of her existence, marked by transient encounters and a sense of emotional detachment. The opening lines, "Vendo placer, A los hombres que vienen del mar," set the stage for her role as a provider of fleeting comfort to men who are just passing through. This transient nature of her relationships is underscored by the line, "Si se marchan al amanecer, Para que yo he de amar," suggesting that love is futile when her clients leave at dawn.

The harbor serves as a metaphor for her life, filled with fleeting foreign caresses and kisses that are mere fiction, sold for a moment. The line, "Puerto hay en ti, la caricia extranjera y fugaz," captures this essence of impermanence and emotional distance. The imagery of the lighthouse forming a cross in her night of love, "Faro de luz, que en mi noche de amor Formo una cruz, con el mismo dolor," symbolizes the guiding light that also brings pain, highlighting the duality of her existence—providing light and guidance to others while bearing her own sorrow.

The repetition of the phrase "Vendo placer" emphasizes her role and the cyclical nature of her life. The final lines, "Para que me de amor la espinita," suggest a longing for love despite the thorns it brings, indicating a deep-seated desire for genuine affection amidst her transactional life. Zabaleta's haunting delivery and the melancholic tone of the song amplify the sense of loneliness and yearning that permeates the lyrics, making "La Mujer Del Puerto" a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the human condition.