Adiós Madrid

Alfredo Zitarrosa's 'Adiós Madrid' is a poignant farewell to the city of Madrid, encapsulated in the form of a milonga, a traditional South American musical genre. The song is a blend of affection and melancholy, reflecting the artist's complex emotions as he bids adieu to a city that has been both a source of inspiration and a place of hardship. The lyrics oscillate between calling Madrid 'dulce' (sweet) and 'dura' (hard), indicating a love-hate relationship that many expatriates might resonate with.

The song opens with Zitarrosa acknowledging the arrival of April, a time of renewal and change, as he prepares to leave Madrid for another country. He describes Madrid with contrasting terms like 'dulce' and 'dura,' suggesting that the city has offered him both joy and pain. The metaphor of Madrid as a 'corazón de regaliz' (licorice heart) further emphasizes this duality, as licorice can be both sweet and bitter. Zitarrosa imagines himself as a lost child in the streets of Madrid, hinting at a sense of vulnerability and longing for acceptance.

As the song progresses, Zitarrosa delves deeper into his personal connection with Madrid. He acknowledges that while he may not have given much to the city, it allowed him to dream and find solace. The imagery of being an 'arlequín' (harlequin) dreaming of his homeland adds a layer of nostalgia and yearning. The chorus, repeated throughout the song, serves as a bittersweet reminder of the city's enduring impact on him. In the end, Zitarrosa expresses gratitude to Madrid, recognizing that a part of him will always remain there, even as he moves on to new horizons. The song is a beautiful testament to the emotional complexity of leaving a place that has profoundly shaped one's identity.