Joan Manuel Serrat：Meaning of Como Un Gorrión Songmeaning

"Como un Gorrión" by Joan Manuel Serrat is a song that tells the story of a small bird, describing its appearance and behavior. The song reflects on the bird's freedom, comparing it to a sparrow ("gorrión" in Spanish) and highlighting its ability to move freely without being owned or controlled. The lyrics portray the bird as delicate and with brown hair, giving it an air of tenderness and sadness. It likes to move from branch to branch, from balcony to balcony, without anyone being able to catch it. This emphasizes the bird's free-spirited nature and its instinctual movements. The song further emphasizes the bird's freedom by mentioning how it was born free like the wind and has no master or boss. It moves according to its instincts and behaves like a sparrow. The lyrics also describe how the bird seeks its own food, such as lettuce, rather than relying on others like caged canaries that are sold with their songs and warmth. The song also touches on the bird's vulnerability, mentioning how its nest could have been left dry and empty in the Carrera de San Bernardo (a street in Madrid, Spain). It suggests that the bird's nest may have been stolen by a child. Despite this vulnerability, the bird remains wanderer and is content with drinking water from puddles, not looking for handouts or comfort from human hands. Overall, "Como un Gorrión" portrays the sparrow as a symbol of freedom, resilience, and simplicity. It expresses admiration for the bird's ability to navigate through life without being confined or seeking material possessions. The song's poetic lyrics and gentle melody create a sense of beauty and appreciation for nature's creatures.