La coyunda

Alfredo Zitarrosa's song 'La coyunda' delves into the themes of love, time, and memory, using rich metaphors to convey the depth of these emotions. The word 'coyunda' itself refers to a yoke or a binding, symbolizing the strong connection between the lovers. Zitarrosa's lyrics suggest that love, like a lasso, holds the beloved tightly, even when they are physically apart. The longer the lasso, the longer the absence, indicating that distance and time are intertwined in their relationship.

The song emphasizes that the only binding force stronger than love is time. As time passes, it accumulates memories, which in turn strengthen the bond between the lovers. This idea is beautifully encapsulated in the line, 'No tenés más coyunda que el tiempo; cuanti más tiempo pase tendrás más ricuerdos,' meaning that the only yoke you have is time; the more time passes, the more memories you will have. This suggests that time, rather than weakening their connection, actually fortifies it through shared experiences and recollections.

Zitarrosa also uses the metaphor of a dog trotting along a path to describe his love. Just as a loyal dog follows its master, his love accompanies the beloved, ensuring their eventual return. The repetition of the phrase 'No tenés más coyunda que el tiempo' reinforces the idea that time and love are the ultimate forces that will bring the lovers back together. The song concludes with a sense of certainty and hope, as the singer believes that time and love will inevitably lead to a reunion.