Acerca De Los Padres Lyrics in English by Silvio Rodriguez
Umbilical refers to the umbilical cord, a literal connection to our origins. It's a word not commonly found in song lyrics, making it stand out.
In the song, Silvio Rodriguez uses it to symbolize the deep, almost inescapable ties to one's upbringing and the expectations placed upon individuals, particularly regarding gender roles and societal judgments. The line "sellados por un fuerte cordón umbilical" (sealed by a strong umbilical cord) powerfully conveys how these early influences shape a person's identity and destiny.
Silvio Rodriguez's "Acerca De Los Padres" (About Parents) is a really thought-provoking song about the impact of upbringing, especially from a father's perspective, and how those lessons can echo through generations. It starts by describing a harsh father who punishes his son for being robbed or for showing any weakness. If the child drew houses and suns, the father would tear them up, telling him to "los machos fueran a las bolas y a pelear" [men should go to balls and fight] and "búscate un papalote y deja de soñar" [find a kite and stop dreaming]. This father couldn't express fear or pain, and his son grew up unable to cry or ask for help, becoming consumed by bitterness.
The song then shifts to the son, who now has his own child. It questions who will provide for this new generation, asking "quién es del desayuno para cobrárselo mañana" [who is for breakfast to charge him tomorrow]? It touches on societal judgment based on gender, saying "por su filiación sexual le juzgarán" [they will judge him by his sexual affiliation]. The lyrics lament how "los archivos se desbordan de psicopatías y prejuicios" [the archives overflow with psychopathies and prejudices], suggesting a cycle of emotional damage. The song even has a blunt line about sexuality: "el sexo es el hueso universal del ser humano" [sex is the universal bone of the human being]. Ultimately, it feels like a powerful commentary on how parental actions, even if well-intentioned, can shape a child's entire life, sometimes leaving them "sembrando muertos" [sowing dead (things)].
