Canción de Verano y Remo

Tabare Etcheverry's 'Canción de Verano y Remo' is a lyrical masterpiece that paints a vivid picture of nature intertwined with the passage of time. The song opens with imagery of a 'torrente gris de palomas' (a gray torrent of doves) and a 'canción de verano y remos' (a song of summer and oars), setting a serene yet dynamic scene. The use of contrasting elements like 'lluvia de Sol' (rain of Sun) and 'aromas' (scents) evokes a sensory experience that captures the essence of a fleeting summer afternoon, described as the 'novia del tiempo' (bride of time).

The second stanza introduces a more intimate interaction with nature, as the singer requests 'isleñita' (little island girl) to share 'ese vino agreste' (that wild wine) made from 'racimos nácar y miel' (clusters of nacre and honey). This metaphorical wine symbolizes the richness and purity of the natural world, which permeates the singer's senses, making the landscape 'huele a verde' (smell green) and causing a visceral reaction that 'crece en mis venas y arde en tu piel' (grows in my veins and burns on your skin).

The recurring chorus, 'Cintura de arena, azul pentagrama' (Waist of sand, blue pentagram), and 'Distancia y camino sonoro es el agua' (Distance and sonorous path is the water), emphasizes the fluidity and musicality of the natural world. The singer longs to be taken 'donde nace el mar' (where the sea is born) and 'la Luna muere mojando el trigal' (the Moon dies wetting the wheat field), blending celestial and terrestrial imagery to convey a sense of eternal cycles and interconnectedness. The song concludes with a melancholic farewell, as a 'cisne oscuro' (dark swan) and 'lenta canoa' (slow canoe) symbolize the end of summer and the inevitable passage of time, leaving the listener with a profound appreciation for the beauty and transience of nature.