Canción de los horneros

Alfredo Zitarrosa's 'Canción de los horneros' is a poignant exploration of loneliness and the passage of time, set against the backdrop of rural life. The song, delivered in the traditional style of milonga, tells the story of a man who feels like a stranger in his own home, observing the harmonious life of two horneros (a type of bird) that have nested on his property. The birds' presence and their contented existence starkly contrast with the man's solitude, highlighting his sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around him.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the man's daily life, where he is always alone, both inside and outside his home. The repetition of phrases like 'dentro solo, salgo solo' (inside alone, I go out alone) emphasizes his perpetual state of loneliness. The horneros, on the other hand, are always together, working and singing happily. This juxtaposition serves as a metaphor for the man's lost companionship and the joy that once filled his life. The birds' indifference to his presence, treating him as harmless as a dog, further underscores his feelings of insignificance and invisibility.

Zitarrosa's rendition of the song adds a layer of melancholy and introspection. The repeated lines and the somber tone of the milonga enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics. The man's reflection on his past, when the 'nido' (nest) was shared and the world seemed theirs, evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and regret. The final plea to the horneros, 'Rogale a Dios, hornerito, que no te pase lo mesmo' (Pray to God, little hornero, that the same doesn't happen to you), is a heartfelt wish that others do not suffer the same fate of loneliness and loss. This song is a beautiful yet sorrowful meditation on the human condition, the inevitability of change, and the enduring hope for connection and companionship.