☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a romantic encounter with a young man in Mexico.
- The singer describes how she learned the Spanish language from him and how loving and gentle this language is.
- The atmosphere of a romantic moment in moonlight on a patio is described.
- The singer sometimes thinks of him and misses him a little since their sad goodbye the last time.
- The words 'Mi amor, mi corazón' and 'Adiós, mi corazón' are used as recurring motifs to emphasize the emotional connection between the two characters.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Spanish Is a Loving Tongue" by
Marianne Faithfull are about a romantic encounter with a young man in Sonora, a region in Mexico. The singer describes how she learned the Spanish language from him and how loving and gentle this language is. Although the young man doesn't look like a typical lover, he taught her the words of love that she often repeats when she's alone.
In the lyrics, the atmosphere of a romantic moment in moonlight on a patio is described, while an older woman, likely the mother of the young man, nods nearby. The singer and Juan speak softly so that the mother can't hear them. Time passes quickly and Juan starts to sigh and softly murmur sweet words, like "Mi amor, mi corazón" (My love, my heart).
The singer hasn't seen Juan since that night because he can't cross the border, probably due to a dispute related to gambling. She sometimes thinks of him and misses him a little since the last time she sadly bid him farewell with the words "Adios, mi corazón" (Goodbye, my heart).
The song lyrics express the longing for a past love and the melancholy of separation. The Spanish language is used here symbolically to represent the passion and magic of romantic memories. The words "Mi amor, mi corazón" and "Adios, mi corazón" are used as recurring motifs to emphasize the emotional connection between the two characters.