Cuatro Milpas

Antonio Aguilar's "Cuatro Milpas" is a poignant reflection on loss and nostalgia, capturing the essence of a once-vibrant place now reduced to memories. The song paints a vivid picture of a ranch that has fallen into disrepair, with only four fields remaining from what was once a thriving homestead. The imagery of the "casita tan blanca y bonita" (the little house so white and pretty) now appearing sad and abandoned, serves as a powerful metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitable changes it brings.

The lyrics delve into the desolation of the land, where the pastures are devoid of cattle, the lagoon has dried up, and even the wire fence has fallen. This desolation is not just physical but emotional, as the singer laments the loss of the life and vibrancy that once filled the ranch. The absence of doves, flowers, and aromas symbolizes the complete erasure of the beauty and joy that once existed there. Aguilar's plea to his "morena" to lend him her eyes to see the remnants of the past underscores the deep emotional connection and longing for what once was.

The song also touches on themes of migration and abandonment, as the workers and muleteers have all left, leaving the protagonist alone with his memories. This sense of solitude is compounded by the singer's recollection of happy times spent with his beloved in this now desolate place. "Cuatro Milpas" is a testament to the enduring power of memory and the heartache of witnessing the decline of a cherished home, resonating with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a place that once held so much meaning.