Volveré Siempre a San Juan

The song "Volveré Siempre a San Juan" by Mercedes Sosa is a heartfelt ode to the Argentine singer's deep connection with her homeland, San Juan. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the landscape and the emotions that it evokes in her. The sunlit afternoons and poplar-lined avenues mentioned in the song are not just physical descriptions but also serve as metaphors for warmth, growth, and the passage of time. The 'diurnas acequias,' or daytime irrigation ditches, symbolize the distribution of life and sustenance, akin to the cricket of her heart, which represents her enduring love for San Juan.

Mercedes Sosa's words reflect a sense of longing and belonging as she sings about returning from many absences, each marked by farewells. The imagery of being a guitar that dreams of the moon and the hardworking fields of Ullún and Albardón conveys her intrinsic bond with the land and its people. The chorus, with its promise to return to San Juan to sing, encapsulates the cyclical nature of her journey and the assurance that no matter where she goes, her heart remains tied to her roots.

The song also touches on the themes of memory and tradition, as the evening brings back zambas (a traditional dance and music genre from Argentina) that remind her of old legends set in stone and silence. The 'altas sombras de polvo y camino' (tall shadows of dust and road) suggest the passage of time and the maturity that comes with it, much like the aging of wine in solitude. The sun of San Juan, personified as an old friend, is a comforting presence that welcomes her back, reinforcing the theme of homecoming and the unbreakable bond with her place of origin.