Tonada Del Otoño

The song "Tonada Del Otoño" by Mercedes Sosa is a poignant reflection on the season of autumn as experienced in Mendoza, Argentina. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the landscape and the emotional resonance that the season brings. Mercedes Sosa, known for her powerful voice and her role in the Nueva Canción movement, often incorporated social and cultural themes into her music, and this song is no exception as it delves into the introspective nature of autumn.

The opening lines suggest a need to approach the season with a childlike soul, to understand the departure of the leaves, and to lie down in their yellowing dreams. This imagery evokes a sense of innocence and acceptance of the natural cycle of life and death. The mention of the 'canto que baja la acequia' (song that goes down the irrigation ditch) with its water sprites speaks to the local folklore and the deep connection of the people to their land and its stories.

The song also touches on themes of solitude and memory. The 'suspiros de nubes cansadas de andar' (sighs of clouds tired of walking) and the rain that starts in the singer's eyes are metaphors for loneliness and the longing that often accompanies the fall season. The lyrics suggest that the landscape of Mendoza, with its hills and the changing leaves, is intertwined with the internal landscape of emotions. The song ends with the idea that autumn and the memories it brings are creations of love, implying that the season, with all its melancholy, is still a time of beauty and deep emotional connection.