La Pajita
Javiera Parra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
pero no era una niña de cera
era una gavilla en la era.
Pero no era una gavilla,
sino la flor tiesa de la maravilla.
Tampoco era la flor, sino que era
un rayito de sol pegado a la vidriera.
No era un rayito de sol siquiera,
una pajita dentro de mis ojitos era.
Alléguense a mirar como he perdido entera,
en este lagrimón, mi fiesta verdadera
Javiera Parra's song "La Pajita" is a poetic and insightful reflection on the theme of identity. The song begins with the repeated phrase "Esta que era una niña de cera, pero no era una niña de cera" which translates to "This was a wax girl, but she was not a wax girl". These lines set the tone for the song, as it criticizes the notion of reducing individuals to simple, preconceived concepts. The following line "era una gavilla en la era" expands on this idea, stating that the subject is not just a wax girl but an entire bundle of different traits and experiences.
The chorus of the song then takes on a more metaphorical tone, describing the subject not as a bundle of hay, but rather as a "flor tiesa de la maravilla" or a "rayito de sol pegado a la vidriera". These images paint the picture of a subject who is unique, and shines bright even amidst a mundane and repetitive world. However, the final line of the chorus reveals that even this identity is not fixed, as the subject is revealed to be "una pajita dentro de mis ojitos" or simply, a straw within the eyes of the beholder.
The final verse of the song takes a more melancholic turn, describing the loss of the subject's true identity through tears shed. The line "Alléguense a mirar como he perdido entera, en este lagrimón, mi fiesta verdadera" or "Come and see how I have lost my entire true self in this tearful event" is relatable to anyone who has felt pressured to conform to societal standards, leading to a loss of their true identity.
Overall, "La Pajita" is a powerful commentary on the dangers of reducing individuals to simple labels, and the importance of embracing individuality and self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Esta que era una niña de cera,
She was like a wax girl,
pero no era una niña de cera
But she wasn't really a wax girl
era una gavilla en la era.
She was a bundle of grain in the field.
Pero no era una gavilla,
But she wasn't really a bundle of grain,
sino la flor tiesa de la maravilla.
rather, the erect flower of the marvel.
Tampoco era la flor, sino que era
But she wasn't even the flower, instead she was
un rayito de sol pegado a la vidriera.
a ray of sun stuck to the window glass.
No era un rayito de sol siquiera,
But she wasn't really a ray of sun,
una pajita dentro de mis ojitos era.
she was a tiny straw in the corners of my eyes.
Alléguense a mirar como he perdido entera,
Come and see how I've lost everything,
en este lagrimón, mi fiesta verdadera
in this tearful spectacle, my true celebration.
Contributed by Stella A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.