Balada de La Adolescencia

María Elena Walsh's song "Balada de La Adolescencia" is a poetic exploration of the beauty and challenges of youth. The lyrics are rich with imagery and metaphors that paint a vivid picture of the gifts and burdens that come with being young. Walsh offers the mornings filled with bells and birds that never die, symbolizing the endless possibilities and the eternal nature of youthful dreams. The stars in the midst of a storm represent hope and guidance even in turbulent times.

The song continues to offer the first spring of the city's trees, the trembling river, and the deep mystery of the sea. These natural elements symbolize growth, change, and the unknown future that lies ahead. The recurring theme of giving and gifting in the song highlights the generosity and boundless potential of youth. However, Walsh also acknowledges the difficulties of being twenty years old, with or without money, emphasizing that youth is a time of both opportunity and struggle.

In the latter part of the song, Walsh gifts a symbolic apple and the desire to bite it, referencing the biblical story of Adam and Eve. This metaphor suggests a yearning for knowledge, experience, and the bittersweet taste of freedom. The refrain, "Te doy eternamente el amor de hoy" (I give you eternally the love of today), underscores the fleeting yet precious nature of youthful love and passion. Through her lyrical gifts, Walsh captures the essence of adolescence—a time of wonder, discovery, and the poignant realization of life's complexities.