A Una Encina Verde

Joan Manuel Serrat's song "A Una Encina Verde" is a poetic homage to a green oak tree, symbolizing resilience, endurance, and the struggle for survival. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the oak's life, rooted in the earth and constantly battling the elements. Serrat uses the oak as a metaphor for strength and perseverance, highlighting how it could have been many things—like a ship's rudder, a wheel, or even ashes—but it was destined to be an oak, standing tall and defiant against the odds.

The song delves into the oak's existence, describing its challenges and triumphs. The oak is depicted as a fighter, embracing the soil, filling cracks with other plants, and evading the axe wielded by its owner. This imagery reflects the oak's tenacity and the bitter struggles it endures, with the "nudos amargos" (bitter knots) in its wood symbolizing the hardships it faces. Serrat's lyrics also express a wish for the oak to be cherished and respected, even in death, emphasizing the importance of its presence in the forest.

Serrat's musical style, known for its poetic and introspective nature, shines through in this song. His ability to weave complex emotions and vivid imagery into his lyrics allows listeners to connect deeply with the oak's story. The song is not just about a tree but a broader commentary on resilience, the beauty of nature, and the respect it deserves. Through the oak's journey, Serrat invites us to reflect on our own struggles and the strength we find in facing them.