Song Meaning

The narrator pushes back against the familiar refrain of "tiempo al tiempo" – time will tell – finding it a hollow comfort when facing profound needs. The opening lines establish a paradoxical view of time: "Para vivir es mucho, para morir / Es poco" (For living it's much, for dying it's little). This sets up an immediate tension, suggesting that the present moment feels both overwhelming and insufficient, especially when contrasted with the finality of death. The core conflict arises from the narrator's rejection of superficial or delayed fulfillment. They refuse to subsist on "migajas" (crumbs), "un beso oscuro" (a dark kiss), or fleeting promises like "un hasta luego" (a see you later) or "un siempre juntos" (an always together). This isn't about patience; it's a demand for genuine, immediate substance, a stark contrast to the passive waiting implied by "tiempo al tiempo." The lyrics employ a powerful contrast between the passive advice and the narrator's urgent plea. The repeated phrase "tiempo al tiempo" becomes a source of anxiety, described as "palabras que me dan sustos" (words that give me frights). The narrator desires decisive action, urging, "De una vez aprieta la soga / De una vez amarras el nudo" (Once and for all tighten the rope / Once and for all tie the knot). This imagery conveys a desperate need for commitment and finality, rather than endless deferral. This refusal to wait for time to resolve things is what makes the lyrics resonate. The narrator’s pride is evident in their rejection of "limosnas" (alms) and their insistence on a full life, not just scraps. The repeated, almost defiant, assertion that "tiempo al tiempo" brings frights underscores a deep-seated dissatisfaction with ambiguity and a powerful yearning for immediate, tangible experience.