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From album
Almendra
Almendra · 1969
Details
TonalidadG major
Duración4:01
ÁlbumAlmendra
Año1969
ISRCARF036900018
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The story behind
When approaching Plegaria para un niño dormido, we encounter a piece that, from its beginnings, invites deep listening. The theme opens with a deeply touching electric guitar solo, which sets the stage for a measured voice. The harmonic structure, starting from a E minor chord, quickly expands to more complex combinations like G major, F major, and E major, then scales up to F# major and D major. The subtle entry of a piano in the chorus, with a C major chord, adds a layer of luminosity that contrasts with the overall tone. This song, which is part of Almendra's debut album, is one of Luis Alberto Spinetta's earliest compositions, written in 1965, when he was just fifteen years old, even before the band was formed. It is presented as a ballad that evokes a lullaby, with a melancholic and lethargic air that some describe as close to tango.
The album Almendra, released in 1969, had a significant impact on the Argentine music scene, defining the originality and quality of the so-called "national rock." Within this context, Plegaria para un niño dormido holds the sixth position on the record. The songs on the album are associated with three figurative codes linked to the cover image: the eye, the tear, and the arrow. This piece, like Muchacha (ojos de papel) and Figuración, corresponds to the symbol of the tear, representing "themes that are in the shine of the thousand-year tear that the man on the cover cries." The lyrics, narrated in the third person, convey the feelings that arise when observing a sleeping child, functioning as a prayer not to be awakened. The particular use of language in the song has been noted, where Spinetta would employ poetic license to alter the accent of certain words, such as "plegaria" and "niño," giving them a distinctive sonic nuance. This peculiarity, while adding charm to the piece, also generated debate at the time.