La Peseandera

José Larralde's song 'La Peseandera' paints a vivid picture of the hardships and wisdom of the common man. The lyrics are rich with metaphors and cultural references that reflect the life of rural workers in Argentina. The song opens with imagery of hard work and scarcity, as the narrator describes the struggle to make ends meet. The lines 'Vuela lindo el pajarito / Y yo me he quedado en patas' (The little bird flies beautifully / And I am left barefoot) highlight the contrast between the freedom of nature and the narrator's own lack of basic necessities.

The song continues to explore themes of poverty and resilience. The mention of 'la vieja Cata' and 'el viejo Filemón' working together in a wool-filled shed while the narrator lacks even simple footwear ('Y yo no tengo alpargatas') underscores the communal effort and individual struggle. The wind blowing through the cracks and the narrator's lack of a blanket ('Y yo no tengo cubija') further emphasize the harsh conditions faced by the rural poor.

Larralde also delves into deeper philosophical reflections. The lines 'Quise ser pampa y fui pampa / Quise ser sol y fui sol' (I wanted to be the plains and I was the plains / I wanted to be the sun and I was the sun) suggest a sense of fulfillment in becoming one with nature, yet the subsequent lines reveal a sense of disillusionment as hopes and dreams fade ('Y el quise se me acabó'). The song concludes with a poignant observation on the nature of wisdom and deception, using the metaphor of a fox playing dead and a skunk's defense mechanism to illustrate the idea that even in ugliness, there can be effectiveness and truth.