Title: Per Al Meu Amic (For My Friend) Artist: Joan Manuel Serrat "Per Al Meu Amic" is a song by the renowned Spanish singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat. The lyrics describe a deep appreciation and admiration for a close friend. The song begins with the narrator expressing their willingness to sell their soul to the devil and their body to others, to even rent out their guitar in exchange for money. This signifies the lengths they are willing to go or the sacrifices they are prepared to make for their friend. The narrator also contemplates breaking their image, as fragile as plaster, or risking their hope in a game of "seven and a half," implying a willingness to risk everything for their friend's sake. But, the narrator asserts that this "flying and small" love poem, with a taste of love and the color of pomegranate (symbolizing passion and vitality), is not for sale or sacrifice. It is exclusively meant for their friend, as a tribute to their qualities. Throughout the song, the narrator repeats the phrase "Ets bo, ets dolç, ets mascle" (You're good, you're sweet, you're manly) to emphasize their admiration and affection for their friend. The next stanza highlights the destructive aspects of life, such as alcohol's impact on the liver, the ashes affecting the skin, smoke damaging the lungs, and men affecting the brain. Despite all these potential harms, nothing can take away the beauty of their friendship. The song continues to emphasize that others may scrutinize the narrator's dreams, tear apart memories, and rip away their tears, verses, games, and loves. But this particular poem, with its flying and small essence, cannot be taken away or altered. It is exclusively dedicated to their dear friend. The chorus repeats the phrase "Ets bo, ets dolç, ets mascle," emphasizing the qualities of their friend once again. The final stanza reflects on the narrator's luck with women and experiencing the joy and beauty of spring. They acknowledge that they have seen both highs, reaching the burning snow, and lows, falling into a pit. However, despite their experiences, the narrator asserts that they will provide anything their friend asks for because they have everything they need. The song concludes reiterating that this flying and small poem, with its taste of love and color of pomegranate, is solely dedicated to their friend. Overall, "Per Al Meu Amic" is a heartfelt tribute to a close friend, praising their qualities and expressing a willingness to go to great lengths for their friendship.
