The song "Del Ay Al Ay Por El Ay" by Joan Manuel Serrat is a powerful expression of pain, struggle, and the cycle of life. The phrase "ay" is used throughout the song to represent a cry of anguish or sorrow. The lyrics depict the experiences of a woman who has suffered and endured hardships, particularly related to childbirth and motherhood. The song begins with the repetition of "ay, hijo soy del ay" which can be translated as "oh, child, I am from the ay" where "ay" represents the mother's pain and sorrow. The mother laments being a product of pain and bitterness from her father. She was conceived and engendered in sorrow and carries this burden with her. Throughout the song, the mother describes the physical and emotional pain she experiences during the process of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. She expresses fears and concerns about the well-being of her child and the difficulties she faces in fulfilling her maternal duties. The lyrics depict her struggle with thoughts of malparir (giving birth to an unhealthy child) and malograrlo (ruining his life). The mother's suffering intensifies as she experiences the physical and emotional toll of motherhood. She feels a sense of helplessness as her breasts are pinched and gnawed at, leaving her drained of strength and love. The constant demands of her child leave her feeling exhausted and incapable. The song further illustrates the loneliness and despair the mother feels as she receives no support or understanding from those around her. The world seems to be indifferent to her pain, as symbolized by the phrase "adiós, el aire me dice" meaning "goodbye, the air tells me" as if even the air acknowledges her suffering. The lyrics also convey a sense of repeated cycles and eternal suffering. The mother's attempts at happiness, symbolized by the cometas (kites) she raises, are constantly torn down by dirty gusts. She is trapped in an eternal cycle of pain, from one "ay" to another. Towards the end of the song, the mother anticipates her own death, imagining her garden grieving, her siblings crying, and her friends shouting "ay" with sadness. The pain she experiences is not limited to her own existence but extends to the entire world around her. The beauty of nature and the joy of life become sources of anguish and despair. In the final lines, the repetition of phrases such as "en un ay nací" (I was born in an ay) and "a un ay eterno he llegado" (I have reached an eternal ay) further emphasize the cyclical nature of suffering and the inescapability of pain. Overall, "Del Ay Al Ay Por El Ay" is a profound reflection on the universal experience of pain, particularly in the context of motherhood. The song highlights the physical, emotional, and existential struggles faced by women, inviting listeners to contemplate the hardships inherent in the cycle of life.
