In the novel, Dulcinea is the name of the true love for whom Quixote seeks, imagining her to be the most beautiful of all women, even though he has only once seen her and never spoken with her. The song refers to and celebrates Quixote's decision to see the world, and Dulcinea in particular, who is actually a simple peasant woman living a hard life in a simple village, as he wishes.
The larger aim of the song is apparently to celebrate those who can see the beauty in everything in the same manner as Quixote sees it in Dulcinea.
La Dulcinea
The Judybats Lyrics
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Our best ideals walk on barbed-wire fences
All blood runs thin when reality dispenses
Tall tales unfold
And peasant becomes princess
[CHORUS]
We don't all have vision but some of us can see
I've made my decision; delirious and free
We don't all have vision but some of us can see
I saw you there
Winnowing the black wheat, singing a dry dusty song
Flat as the hulls at your feet
Mi Aldonza
In your hardened features
Nothing replete, neither coy nor splendid
All rags and cursing in the white heat
Conoci con mi aldonza why yo no la queria
Traigame mi guia
Get me far from this place
But oh too late, too familiar
Leave me linger with this dark face
[CHORUS]
The lyrics of The Judybats's song La Dulcinea refer to the idea that sometimes it is better to keep living in your own delusions than to come to face the harsh reality that life often serves us. The phrase "no sense in coming to your senses" implies that the singer has made a conscious decision to continue living in a state of delirium rather than coming to terms with the difficulties of their lived experience. The metaphor "our best ideals walk on barbed-wire fences" suggests that the things we hold dear in our minds and hearts can be dangerous and even harmful to our sense of self when we try to bring them to reality.
The chorus of the song suggests that not everyone has the ability to see things clearly, but that some people possess the gift of vision. The use of the term "sweet dulcinea" refers to the character Aldonza in Miguel de Cervantes's novel Don Quixote, who is transformed in the mind of the singer into his idealized vision of a perfect woman. The "peasant becomes princess" line implies that we can transform even the most mundane aspects of our lives into something extraordinary and magical.
Overall, the lyrics to La Dulcinea are about the human capacity to dream and imagine, and how these ideals can often be more fulfilling than the stark reality of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no sense in coming to your senses
It is not worthwhile to regain your composure given the current circumstances.
Our best ideals walk on barbed-wire fences
The ideals that we cherish the most are fragile and precarious, like trying to balance on a barbed-wire fence.
All blood runs thin when reality dispenses
When reality confronts us, our courage and resolve tend to weaken, making it harder to stay true to our convictions.
Tall tales unfold
Exaggerated stories and myths abound, sometimes obscuring the truth.
And peasant becomes princess
In rare instances, people who are overlooked or undervalued in society can rise to greatness, like a commoner who becomes a royal.
We don't all have vision but some of us can see
Not everyone has the ability to perceive things clearly, but some of us possess special insight or perspicacity.
The sweet dulcinea rapt in everything
This refers to a woman named Dulcinea who embodies beauty and charm, captivating people with her presence.
I've made my decision; delirious and free
The artist has reached a firm decision, possibly one that is bold or unconventional, and is experiencing a sense of exhilaration or craziness.
I saw you there
The artist has a specific person in mind, whom they observed in a particular setting or circumstance.
Winnowing the black wheat, singing a dry dusty song
The person that the artist saw was engaged in the difficult task of separating grain from chaff, accompanied by a sad or mournful tune.
Flat as the hulls at your feet
The discarded husks of the wheat lay flat on the ground near the person, emphasizing the drudgery and monotony of their labor.
Mi Aldonza
The artist addresses the person as 'my Aldonza', implying a familiarity or intimacy with them.
In your hardened features
The person's face has a tough or roughened appearance, possibly from years of hard work or exposure to the elements.
Nothing replete, neither coy nor splendid
The person has a plain or unremarkable quality, lacking in grace or charm.
All rags and cursing in the white heat
The person is dressed shabbily and expresses frustration or anger in the scorching sunlight.
Conoci con mi aldonza why yo no la queria
The artist encountered the person named Aldonza, but had no affection or love for them at the time.
Traigame mi guia
The artist requests someone to bring them their guide, possibly indicating a desire for guidance or direction in life.
Get me far from this place
The singer wants to escape from their current location or circumstances.
But oh too late, too familiar
Despite the wish to leave, there is a sense of familiarity or attachment to the place that makes it hard to go.
Leave me linger with this dark face
The artist wants to remain in the place for a little while longer, with a somber or melancholy expression on their face.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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