Ausencia
Javier Ruibal & Pablo Milanés Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
decir tinieblas, decir jamás,
las aves pueden volver al nido
pero las almas que se han querido
cuando se alejan no vuelven más.
No te lo dice la luz que expira,
sombra es la ausencia, desolación,
si tantos sueños fueron mentira
tan hondamente mi corazón.
In the song Ausencia, Javier Ruibal and Pablo Milanés contemplate the theme of absence and the pain caused by the separation of two loved ones. The opening line, “Ausencia quiere decir olvido” (Absence means forgetting), is a powerful statement that sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, as it suggests that absence can lead to forgetfulness and ultimately, the end of a relationship.
The subsequent lines of the song continue to explore the idea that separation causes deep and lasting pain, which is reflected in the imagery of darkness and never returning. The comparison between birds that can return to their nests and souls that cannot return to each other emphasizes the finality of separation and the impossibility of rekindling what has been lost.
The final verse of the song is particularly poignant as it questions the sincerity of memories and emotions felt during the relationship. The singer asks why their partner complains of hurt when they themselves could have been lying about their feelings. This adds a layer of complexity to the song, as it suggests that perhaps the pain caused by absence is not just due to the loss of the person, but also due to the loss of the illusions and dreams associated with the relationship.
Overall, Ausencia is a powerful and contemplative song that delves into the complicated emotions associated with separation and absence.
Line by Line Meaning
Ausencia quiere decir olvido,
The word 'absence' means forgetting,
decir tinieblas, decir jamás,
it means darkness, it means never,
las aves pueden volver al nido
birds can return to their nests
pero las almas que se han querido
but souls that have loved each other
cuando se alejan no vuelven más.
when they move away, they never come back.
No te lo dice la luz que expira,
It's not the dying light that tells you this,
sombra es la ausencia, desolación,
absence is a shadow, desolation,
si tantos sueños fueron mentira
if so many dreams were lies
por qué te quejas cuando suspira
why do you complain when my heart sighs
tan hondamente mi corazón.
so deeply.
Contributed by Asher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.