Escaramujo

Silvio Rodriguez's song 'Escaramujo' is a poetic exploration of the human condition, characterized by an insatiable curiosity about the world and our place within it. The lyrics are filled with rhetorical questions that delve into the mysteries of nature and existence. The song begins by questioning why the earth is considered home, why the night is dark, and why the moon changes its appearance. These questions symbolize the fundamental human desire to understand the universe and our own existence.

The second verse uses the metaphor of boiling water in a pot, releasing a spirit that becomes a cloud and then rain, to illustrate the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all things. The narrator identifies as a child, ever inquisitive and hungry for knowledge, suggesting that the pursuit of understanding is as natural and essential as a child's curiosity. The song asserts that seeking knowledge should be a right, not a privilege, and playfully suggests that if it's not a right ('derecho'), then it must be a left ('izquierdo'), using a pun in Spanish to emphasize the point.

The chorus and final verse of 'Escaramujo' reinforce the artist's identity with the natural world, comparing himself to the rosehip ('escaramujo'), which is part of both the rose and the sea. This connection symbolizes the unity of all life and the artist's role as a seeker of truth. The song culminates in a declaration of the artist's many identities, from religious figures to mythical creatures, ultimately concluding that he is a child who questions. This reflects the idea that at our core, we are all seekers of truth, driven by a fundamental need to question, learn, and dream.