"A Un Olmo Seco" is a song written by Spanish singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat, based on a poem by Spanish poet Antonio Machado. The lyrics talk about an old elm tree that has been struck by lightning and is decaying. Despite its condition, there are still some green leaves sprouting from it due to the rains of April and the sun of May. The song reflects on the beauty and resilience of nature, as the old elm tree stands tall on a hillside, covered in yellow moss that licks its white and dusty bark. The singer admires the tree and fears that it might be cut down by a lumberjack or transformed into firewood, bell clapper, or part of a cart or yoke, in the near future. However, the singer wants to capture the grace of the tree's revived branches in their notebook before it gets destroyed. The tree symbolizes life and hope, as it continues to grow and reach towards the light, just like the singer's heart, which also longs for light and life. The hope is for another miracle of springtime, representing renewal and rejuvenation. Overall, the song carries a message of valuing the beauty and resilience of nature, even in its declining state. It encourages us to appreciate and protect the miracles of life that can be found in the simplest of things, such as an old elm tree.
