Requiem
Silvio Rodriguez Lyrics

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Disfruté tanto, tanto cada parto
Y gocé tanto, tanto cada todo
Que me duele algo menos cuando partes
Porque aquí te me quedas de algún modo

Ojalá nunca sepas cuánto amaba
Descubrirte los trillos de la entrega
Y el secreto esplendor con que esperabas

Un reclamo de amor que ya no llega

Anda, corre a donde debas ir
Anda, que te espera el porvenir
Vuela, que los cisnes están vivos
Mi canto está contigo, no tengo soledad

Si uno fuera a llorar cuando termina
No alcanzarán las lágrimas a tanto
Nuestras horas de amor, casi divinas
Es mejor despedirlas con un canto

Anda, corre donde debas ir
Anda, que te espera el porvenir

Vuela, que los cisnes están vivos
Mi canto está contigo, no tengo soledad

Overall Meaning

In Silvio Rodriguez's song "Requiem", he expresses his bittersweet emotions about a loved one leaving him. The first stanza evokes a sense of painful nostalgia, as he reflects on the joy he experienced during every moment of their relationship. The pain is somewhat alleviated by the fact that the person remains with him in some way, even though they are physically absent. He wishes that they never know how much he loved discovering their "trails of surrender" and the secret beauty with which they awaited a love that never arrived.

The chorus of the song serves as both a farewell and an encouragement to the person departing. Rodriguez urges them to go where they need to go, reminding them that the future awaits them. He tells them to fly, because the swans (which are often used as a symbol of grace and beauty) are still alive. He assures them that his song (which may symbolize his love or support) will be with them and that he will not be lonely.

The final stanza explores the idea of ending things with a song, rather than tears. Rodriguez declares that even if he were to cry when the relationship ends, his tears could not possibly express the depth of their love. He sees their moments together as almost divine and believes that a song would be a more fitting way to say goodbye.

Overall, the lyrics to "Requiem" encapsulate the complexities of saying goodbye to someone you love. The emotions range from joy to pain, nostalgia to hope, and ultimately, a bittersweet sense of closure.

Line by Line Meaning

Disfruté tanto, tanto cada parto
I enjoyed every moment and every effort so much

Y gocé tanto, tanto cada todo
And I enjoyed every aspect and everything so much

Que me duele algo menos cuando partes
It hurts me a little less when you leave

Porque aquí te me quedas de algún modo
Because you stay with me somehow

Ojalá nunca sepas cuánto amaba
I hope you never know how much I loved

Descubrirte los trillos de la entrega
To discover the paths of devotion with you

Y el secreto esplendor con que esperabas
And the secret splendor with which you waited

Un reclamo de amor que ya no llega
A call for love that no longer comes

Anda, corre a donde debas ir
Come on, run to where you need to go

Anda, que te espera el porvenir
Come on, the future is waiting for you

Vuela, que los cisnes están vivos
Fly, the swans are still alive