Retrato de un Músico
caroline cruz Lyrics
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Quien rasguña el violín
En algún lugar
De esta ciudad
Desdibujada
A su lado,
El perro sordo
Se lame las llagas
Azules
Y duerme
A veces pasa un auto,
Un pájaro vestido
De persona
Y sin embargo
El anciano
No se inmuta
El toca para sí,
Para una flor
De frío,
Para que no se derrumbe el crepúsculo.
The song "Retrato de un Músico" by Caroline Cruz tells a story about an old man who is playing the violin somewhere in the city. The city itself is described as distorted, making it difficult for the listener to pinpoint where exactly the man is playing. Alongside the old man is a deaf dog who licks its blue wounds and sleeps. Despite the occasional car passing by and seeing strange things such as a bird dressed like a person, the old man remains unaffected. He plays for himself, for a cold flower, and to prevent the sunset from collapsing.
The lyrics paint a picture of a solitary and melancholic atmosphere interwoven with a sense of hope. The old man is perhaps viewed as an outcast or someone who does not quite fit into the society which is described as distorted. However, his playing is powerful and impactful, bringing forth emotions that are beyond words. As the song progresses, it seems to signify that to truly understand the old man and his music, one must experience the same solitude and feelings he has endured. The lyrics indicate that even in the bleakest of times, there is always some form of light if we are willing to look for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Es un anciano
The musician is an old man.
Quien rasguña el violín
He plays the violin with shaky hands.
En algún lugar
He plays in some place, unknown.
De esta ciudad
In the city street.
Desdibujada
Obscured and forgotten.
A su lado,
Next to him,
El perro sordo
A deaf dog
De la noche
Of the lonely night.
Se lame las llagas
Licking his wounds
Azules
Blue, cold and merciless
Y duerme
Sleeping by the old man's side.
A veces pasa un auto,
Sometimes a car goes by,
Un pájaro vestido
A bird dressed up
De persona
Like a human being
Y sin embargo
And yet,
El anciano
The old man
No se inmuta
Shows no emotion
El toca para sí,
He plays for himself,
Para una flor
For a flower
De frío,
To warm its coldness,
Para que no se derrumbe el crepúsculo.
To hold up the crumbling of the twilight.
Contributed by Keira E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.