En El Hospicio

The song 'En El Hospicio' by the Argentine folk rock duo Pastoral delves into profound themes of freedom, reality, and existential contemplation. The lyrics begin with a desire to 'atrapar el Sol' (catch the Sun) on a deserted wall, symbolizing an attempt to grasp something vast and unattainable, perhaps a metaphor for understanding life's complexities or capturing fleeting moments of clarity and enlightenment.

As the song progresses, the imagery of being both free yet overwhelmed ('Me siento tan libre que/Hasta me ahoga esa idea') suggests a paradox where the speaker feels liberated by their thoughts yet suffocated by the immensity of what they perceive. The recurring reference to the dog ('el perro es perro/Y nada más') serves as a stark reminder of reality's unchangeable and often disappointing nature, contrasting with the human desire for deeper meaning and transformation.

The setting of the song, suggested by its title 'En El Hospicio' (In the Hospice), and the lyrics pointing to confinement ('Encierro real/Claustro de barro') and being restrained ('Hasta me atan a mi cama'), paint a picture of an individual struggling with their thoughts and societal constraints. This environment amplifies the themes of searching for truth and the frustration with mundane realities, culminating in a powerful reflection on personal identity and the boundaries imposed by both society and one's own mind.