Jorge Drexler (n. Montevideo; September 21, 1964), is a critically acclaime… Read Full Bio ↴Jorge Drexler (n. Montevideo; September 21, 1964), is a critically acclaimed Uruguayan singer/songwriter who resides in Spain, began his recording career in the early 90's but didn't experience mainstream breakthrough success until his seventh album, Eco (2004), and its Oscar-winning song ''Al Otro Lado Del Río''.

He comes from a Jewish family that fled persecution in Germany. He studied to become an otolaryngologyst (i.e., ear, throat, and nose doctor) like his parents but ultimately chose to pursue his passion for music.

Drexler made his full-length album debut with La Luz Que Sabe Robar (1992), followed by Radar (1994). In hopes of furthering his career, he went to Spain in 1995 upon the invitation of legendary singer/songwriter Joaquín Sabina , who showed him around the Madrid music scene and helped him secure an international recording contract. So impressed with Madrid that he chose to make his permanent residency there, Drexler got together with a band of Spanish musicians to re-record material from his first two albums along with new material and release it internationally as Vaivén (1996), the first of four albums on Virgin España. The highlights of Vaivén along with those of its three follow-ups, Llueve (1998), Frontera (1999), and Sea (2001), were later compiled on the best-of compilation La Edad Del Cielo (2004).

Upon his switch to the Dro Atlántic label, Drexler's career reached new heights of success with the critically acclaimed Eco (2004). Most notably, the album includes the Oscar-winning song ''Al Otro Lado Del Río'', which was prominently featured during the closing credits of the Walter Salles film The Motorcycle Diaries (2004).

Eco proved so successful, in fact, that it was re-released with bonus material as Eco² (2005). Subsequent albums include 12 Segundos de Oscuridad (2006), the double-disc live album Cara B (2008), and Amar la Trama (2010).

Flores en el Mar
Jorge Drexler Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hay flores en el mar
Hay flores en el mar

En el borde de tu falda
Hoy te vienen a entregar
Madre fuerza de las aguas
Flores blancas en el mar

Hay flores en el mar
Hay flores en el mar

En el borde de tus barcas
Una tenue claridad
Y en los ojos de tus hijos
Se te puede adivinar

Hay flores en el mar
Hay flores en el mar
Hay flores en el mar
Hay flores en el mar

Se van las barcas de Iemanjá
Se van las barcas de Iemanjá

En el borde de tus aguas
Hay un murmullo de sal
Son aladas tus espumas
Es salado tu cantar

Hay flores en el mar
Hay flores en el mar

(Todos saben que en febrero crecen flores en el mar)
(Quién no sabe que en febrero crecen flores en el mar)

Overall Meaning

The song "Flores en el Mar" by Jorge Drexler is a tribute to Iemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea who is celebrated with offerings of flowers and candles on February 2nd. The song describes the presence of flowers in the sea as an offering to the mother force of the waters. The flowers are not only present on the water's surface, but they also mark the border of boats and can be seen in the eyes of children. The lyrics mention a murmuring sound of salt on the waters, and the alchemy of the sea in which its froth and salt are transformed into a song.

The song is a mystical and metaphorical ode to the power and mystery of the sea, and especially to Iemanjá, who is seen as a protector and source of life. The flowers that are thrown into the sea are both a symbol of beauty and peace, and an expression of gratitude to the goddess who protects the fishermen and their families. The use of the refrain "Hay flores en el mar" (There are flowers in the sea) throughout the song reinforces the mystical and hypnotic nature of the sea, and the eternal cycle of life and death that it represents.

Line by Line Meaning

Hay flores en el mar
The sea is abundant with flowers.

Hay flores en el mar
The sea is full of beautiful flowers.

En el borde de tu falda
At the edge of your skirt,

Hoy te vienen a entregar
Today they come to deliver them to you.

Madre fuerza de las aguas
Mother force of the waters,

Flores blancas en el mar
White flowers in the sea.

En el borde de tus barcas
At the edge of your boats,

Una tenue claridad
A faint clarity.

Y en los ojos de tus hijos
And in the eyes of your children,

Se te puede adivinar
You can guess.

Se van las barcas de Iemanjá
The boats of Iemanjá are leaving.