"Poco Antes De Que Den Las Diez" (Shortly Before Ten O'Clock) is a song by the Spanish singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat. The song tells the story of a couple who meet secretly in the late hours of the night, highlighting the bittersweet nature of their relationship. The lyrics describe a scene where the woman slowly gets ready to leave shortly before ten o'clock in the morning. She carefully prepares herself, straightening her hair and getting dressed, while the protagonist watches her with longing. Despite their deep connection, they both know that she must leave without reproach, disappearing into the night outside his window. As the woman descends the stairs, the lyrics suggest that the people in her life are waiting for her at home. The protagonist urges her to leave, knowing that time is running out. In the doorway, she erases any trace of their encounter from her face before turning back for a final farewell. She looks back with sadness, says goodbye from the corner, and then rushes away into the night, becoming engulfed in its darkness. The song implies that the woman is involved in a secret affair, as she returns to her home where her mother and possibly her child reside. The clock striking ten signifies the end of their rendezvous and serves as a reminder of their need for secrecy. Overall, "Poco Antes De Que Den Las Diez" captures the emotions of a clandestine affair and the conflicting feelings of love, longing, and sorrow experienced by the protagonist. It speaks to the fleeting nature of their relationship and the sacrifices they have to make to maintain their secret connection.
