El niño que fui

Victor Heredia's song 'El niño que fui' delves into the poignant theme of lost innocence and the inevitable passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man reflecting on his childhood, encapsulated in the metaphor of a 'crystal of tears' that brings forth 'birds without voice' in his heart. This imagery suggests a deep, unspoken sorrow and a longing for the simplicity and purity of youth. The 'gray drawer' where his childhood 'lives in solitude' symbolizes the compartmentalization of these memories, tucked away yet ever-present in his consciousness.

The song continues with the metaphor of a pine tree that once was a 'sweet branch,' now a 'bomb of color' and a 'ship in love' that has been battered by the wind and finally anchored in the 'sands of my solitude.' This transformation from a vibrant, lively entity to one that is weathered and stationary mirrors the journey from childhood to adulthood. The pine tree, once full of life and potential, now rests in a state of stillness, much like the memories of youth that are cherished but no longer active.

Heredia poignantly describes the child as 'a letter that will not arrive,' emphasizing the sense of lost potential and unfulfilled dreams. The child is also 'distance and sea, a clumsy awakening,' highlighting the disorientation and challenges of growing up. The final lines, where the singer's tears become 'an old country' where the child he once was 'goes happily,' suggest a reconciliation with the past. The tears, representing sorrow and nostalgia, transform into a place of contentment for the child within, indicating a bittersweet acceptance of life's journey.