Sur

Julio Sosa's 'Sur' is a poignant tango that delves deep into themes of nostalgia, change, and lost love. The song paints a vivid picture of Buenos Aires, specifically the neighborhoods of San Juan, Boedo, and Pompeya. These areas are not just geographical locations but are imbued with personal memories and emotions. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing for a past that is irretrievably lost, symbolized by the imagery of old streets, familiar corners, and the scent of alfalfa and herbs that once filled the air.

The song's chorus, with its repeated invocation of 'Sur' (South), serves as a metaphor for the past and the changes that time brings. The 'paredón' (wall) and 'luz de almacén' (store light) are symbols of the barriers and the dimming of the once-bright moments of youth and love. The narrator laments that the person he once was, waiting by the window and illuminated by the stars, will never be seen again. This sense of irrevocable change is further emphasized by the mention of suburban streets and moons, which now seem distant and dead.

The final verses of the song encapsulate the essence of nostalgia and the pain of change. The 'cielo perdido' (lost sky) and the trembling twenty-year-old under a stolen kiss are powerful images of a time filled with love and promise. However, these memories are tinged with sadness as the narrator acknowledges that everything has changed. The 'pesadumbre de barrios que han cambiado' (sorrow of changed neighborhoods) and the 'amargura del sueño que murió' (bitterness of the dream that died) highlight the inevitable passage of time and the transformation of both places and people. 'Sur' is a melancholic reflection on the past, capturing the essence of a bygone era and the enduring pain of lost love and change.