The song "Del Pasado Efímero" (Of the Ephemeral Past) by Joan Manuel Serrat tells the story of a provincial man who is a regular at the local casino. This man, described as having dull skin, gray hair, and melancholic eyes, carries a sense of emptiness in his mind. Despite his worn-out appearance, he still wears a velvet jacket and polished cordobés shoes, symbolizing his attachment to a bygone era. The lyrics mention that this man has inherited and lost fortunes three times, and has been widowed twice. He only shows enthusiasm when gambling, defying the rules and risking everything on the green gambling table. He also finds solace in reminiscing about the past glory of a bullfighter, the luck of a gambler, or the exploits of violent figures like bandits or killers. The character expresses his boredom and disdain for shallow political discussions and predicts the return of liberal ideologies, paralleling the return of a stork to the bell tower. He is described as a bit of a farmer, waiting for heavenly signs, fearing the sky, and longing for rain for his olive trees. However, his present life feels monotonous and gloomy, his only respite being the smoke from his tobacco, which casts shadows on his forehead, giving a semblance of complexity to his existence. The protagonist is neither of the past nor of the future; he exists in a perpetual state of never belonging to any particular time. He represents a vanishing Spain, a fruit that is neither ripe nor rotten, symbolizing a Spain that has passed but has not fully materialized. The reference to his graying head implies that this represents the older generation, disconnected from the present and their place in society. Overall, "Del Pasado Efímero" reflects the sense of disillusionment, nostalgia, and longing for a lost era. It portrays a character who feels out of place and disconnected from the changing times, searching for meaning and significance in his life.
