Una canción

“Una canción” by Cátulo Castillo is a poignant tango that delves deep into themes of melancholy, love, and despair. The song paints a vivid picture of a dimly lit bar, where the protagonist seeks solace in alcohol and music. The opening lines set the scene with a glass of alcohol and the enveloping fog of the bar, creating a sense of monotony and fatalism. The accordion's melancholic tune adds to the atmosphere, evoking a sense of sorrow and longing.

The protagonist addresses a woman, asking her to sing a song with her metallic, hoarse voice. Her presence is described with sensory details: the smell of rum on her dress and the sweetness of her heart. This juxtaposition of roughness and tenderness highlights the complexity of their relationship. The song they share becomes a means to escape their sadness, to numb their pain, and to find a fleeting connection in their shared state of inebriation.

As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal the shared misfortune of the two characters. Their lives are intertwined in a cycle of despair, symbolized by the relentless wind of her voice that whistles the torture of their inevitable end. The request for more rum and the image of her heart trembling in the glass reflect their vulnerability and the transient nature of their solace. The song is a desperate plea for a moment of reprieve, a brief escape from their harsh reality through the power of music and shared sorrow.