La Cigarra (part. Lila Downs)

The song 'La Cigarra,' performed by Natalia Jiménez with Lila Downs, is a traditional Mexican folk song that has been covered by various artists over the years. The lyrics of 'La Cigarra' are rich in metaphor and emotion, painting a picture of sorrow and resilience through the imagery of a singing cicada. The cicada, known for its loud and persistent song, is used here as a symbol of the singer's own perseverance in the face of hardship and the inevitability of death.

The song begins with a plea for the cicada to stop singing, as its song pierces the soul like a dagger, especially with the knowledge that the cicada's song is a harbinger of its own death. This reflects a deep sense of pain and a premonition of loss. The lyrics then shift to a sailor being asked about the depths of the sea, drawing a parallel between the darkness of the ocean and the singer's own sorrows. This verse suggests a search for understanding and a comparison of one's own suffering to the vast, unknown depths of the sea.

As the song progresses, it tells the story of a wounded dove searching for requited love, and the singer's decision to live life fully despite its fleeting nature. The final verses embrace the idea of dying while singing, just like the cicada, symbolizing a desire to face the end with dignity and joy, celebrating life until the last moment. The song, therefore, is not just about sorrow, but also about finding beauty and strength in the face of life's challenges, and leaving the world with a song in one's heart.