Segunda cita

Silvio Rodriguez's 'Segunda cita' is a poetic exploration of regret, longing, and the desire for redemption. The song's lyrics are imbued with a sense of nostalgia and a yearning to correct past mistakes. Rodriguez opens with a wish to 'enmendar los comienzos' (amend the beginnings) and 'empezar cada lienzo con mejor fortuna' (start each canvas with better fortune), suggesting a deep-seated desire to rewrite history and improve upon past actions. This sets the tone for a reflective journey through personal and collective memory.

The imagery of wings and a sweet ballad carried by the breeze evokes a sense of freedom and the power of music to heal and transform. Rodriguez's wish to 'viajar al pasado de cierta muchacha' (travel to the past of a certain girl) and 'posarme en su vida para convencerla' (settle in her life to convince her) highlights a personal connection and a desire to alleviate the pain of someone dear. This personal narrative is intertwined with broader social commentary, as seen in the lines about 'la ofensiva que hundió con un puño impotente tanta iniciativa' (the offensive that sank so much initiative with an impotent fist), reflecting on historical and political struggles.

The recurring refrain about the pain that angels cannot heal and the song that only the wind can know underscores the theme of unattainable redemption and the limits of human intervention. Rodriguez's wish to 'dar vuelta a la rueda que para en lo mismo' (turn the wheel that stops at the same place) and leave behind 'certeza y progreso' (certainty and progress) before relinquishing his metaphorical wings speaks to a desire for lasting change and improvement. The song is a poignant meditation on the interplay between personal and collective history, the quest for healing, and the hope for a better future.