Como La Cigarra

The song 'Como La Cigarra,' performed by the iconic Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, is a poignant anthem of resilience and survival. The lyrics, rich with metaphor and emotion, speak to the human capacity to endure hardship and rise again, much like the cicada (cigarra) that emerges from the ground after a long period to sing in the sun.

The repeated lines 'Tantas veces me mataron, tantas veces me morí, sin embargo, estoy aquí resucitando' translate to 'So many times I was killed, so many times I died, yet here I am, resurrecting.' These powerful words convey a sense of perseverance despite repeated attempts to be silenced or defeated. The song acknowledges the pain and suffering ('Gracias doy a la desgracia y a la mano con puñal') but also the strength and defiance found in the act of continuing to sing ('Y seguí cantando'). The cicada metaphor serves as a symbol of rebirth and the natural cycle of life, death, and renewal.

Mercedes Sosa's delivery of the song adds a layer of depth and authenticity, as she herself faced censorship and threats during Argentina's Dirty War. Her voice carries the weight of personal and collective struggle, making 'Como La Cigarra' not just a personal testament but also a universal message of hope and resistance. The song's narrative extends beyond the individual, suggesting that this cycle of suffering and revival is a shared human experience ('Tantas veces te mataron, tantas resucitarás').