Blanca Paloma

Blanca Paloma will represent Spain at Eurovision 2023 with “Eaea”. The song dives deep into Spanish tradition and takes us on an emotional and empowering journey: Blanca performs a chant to her late grandmother, built upon the musical legacy that she inherited from her. 

Scroll down for the “Eaea” lyrics

Benidorm Fest 2023: Blanca Paloma — “Eaea”

Blanca Paloma is an emerging artist who has mainly performed in theatre and has always been behind the scenes until last year, when she got her chance to perform her original song “Secreto de agua” at Benidorm Fest 2022. It was also on the soundtrack of RTVE’s documentary series Lucía en la Telaraña

One year later, Blanca is still releasing music and performing in theatres and other music venues. This year she comes to Benidorm Fest with a much clearer goal: to honour her roots and the music that surrounded her from childhood. The single’s cover features a photograph of her late grandmother Carmen, who introduced her to flamenco and music in general.

The performance, where she sings with five backing vocalists, also relies on that idea of invoking the female ancestors and celebrating their power and strenght.

What do the “Eaea” lyrics mean?

It is actually hard to translate the lyrics of Eaea (pronounced as /ˌeaˈea/), as they are deeply entangled with Spanish history, culture and literature, and there’s several layers to them despite the fact that they are not so long.

Blanca Paloma’s song is a lullaby and the lyrics are directed to a child. However, she has explained on several occasions that this should not be taken as something literal. It is, primarily, a message from her grandmother’s culture and roots to herself. 

In fact, Blanca has explained that the song’s inspiration and the reason because it is a lullaby is also linked with her grandmother. When she was a child, her grandma Carmen used to sing a song for her that made fun of death, something that hailed form her Sevillan roots. 

“Eaea” and the Lorca inspiration

The song uses several concepts that are common in flamenco, and for many classic Spanish authors. Federico García Lorca, one of the country’s best known authors from the 20th century has been an inspiration for Blanca Paloma. Several interpretations have been made about the symbolism of the song, both on her side, and from the fans: The moon as a shrine or a representation of death, the night as the unknown, the child as the innocence and ingenuity, death as a reference to the after life, are some of them. There are also some biblical references, like the tears of the Nile as a simile of neglect.

“I am a lover of Lorca’s work”, Blanca explains. For those of you who don’t know him, Federico García Lorca is one of Spain’s most celebrated authors from the 20th century, and a core member of the country’s Generation of’27, which incorporates other popular artists such as Salvador Dalí or Luis Buñuel. “Lorquian” is an adjective in Spanish, so you can figure his reach. 

A pioneer of the rediscovery of Spanish folklore, Lorca wrote major works of Spanish literature, such as the Gypsy Ballads and The House of Bernarda Alba. He mixed Andalusian and avant-garde motifs, and women had always a strong presence on his work. That have made many people link “Eaea” to that tradition.

Lorca was murdered in the early days of the Spanish Civil War by the ultra-right wing Francoist forces because he was gay and a socialist. His remains are yet to be found today. His legacy is, however, well respected and esteemed by Spaniards. 

“Eaea” lyrics – Blanca Paloma (Spain Eurovision 2023)

Spanish text

Ya, ea
Ya, ea
(Ole)
Ay, ven a mí, niño mío (ya)
Ay, ven a mí, niño mío
Duerme a mi vera
Que en mi pecho hay abrigo
Abriguito pa’ tu pena


Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Lagrimitas del Nilo, noches en vela


Mi niño, cuando me muera
Que me entierren en la luna
Y to’as las noches te vea
Y to’as las noches te vea
Y to’as las noches te vea
To’as las noches menos una
(Ole)


Ay, ven a mí, niño mío (ay, niño mío, chiquito mío)
Chiquito de mis amores
Que en la noche me iluminan
Tus ojos soles

Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Lagrimitas del Nilo, noches en vela


Mi niño, cuando me muera
Que me entierren en la luna
Y to’as las noches te vea
Y to’as las noches te vea
Y to’as las noches te vea
Mi niño, cuando me muera
Que me entierren en la luna
Y to’as las noches te vea
To’as las noches menos una

Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Lagrimitas del Nilo, noches en vela
Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Ya, eaea, ya, eaea
Ya, eaea, ya, eaea!

English translation

Now, ea
Now, ea
(Ole)
Oh, come to me, child of mine (now)
Oh, come to me, child of mine
Sleep by my side
Because in my chest there’s a shelter
A little shelter for your grief


Now, eaea, now, eaea
Now, eaea, now, eaea
Now, eaea, now, eaea
Little tears from the Nile, sleepless nights


My child, when I die
May they bury me in the Moon
So that I’ll see you every night
So that I’ll see you every night
So that I’ll see you every night
Every night but one
(Ole)


Oh, come to me, child of mine (oh child of mine, kid of mine)
Kid of my loves
Whose eyes like a Sun
Illuminate me at night

Now, eaea, now, eaea
Now, eaea, now, eaea
Now, eaea, now, eaea
Little tears from the Nile, sleepless nights


My child, when I die
May they bury me in the Moon
So that I’ll see you every night
So that I’ll see you every night
So that I’ll see you every night
My child, when I die
May they bury me in the Moon
So that I’ll see you every night
Every night but one

Now, eaea, ya, eaea
Now, eaea, now, eaea
Little tears from the Nile, sleepless nights
Now, eaea, now, eaea
Now, eaea, now, eaea
Now, eaea, now, eaea

Was “Eaea” your favourite Benidorm Fest entry? How will Blanca Paloma do at Eurovision 2023? Tell us in the comment section below!

57 Comments
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Brian
Brian
10 months ago

I came here to look up information on these lyrics – the Australian broadcast had a translation but I wanted to learn more about the song’s connection to Spanish history. What a beautiful, complex, moving song this was! I was nearly in tears at her performance and the staging. Was that throat singing? The sensation of listening to her voice reminded me of Go_A for Ukraine in 2021. Anyway, we had a Eurovision party here where we did a vote for the best songs of the year, and in our group Spain and Finland were the top two. None of… Read more »

Niamh
Niamh
10 months ago

Thanks so much for the translation and context. But forgive me, I’m not a fluent Spanish speaker but I think grief may not be right translation for pena? Grief in English heavily implies, maybe even requires a great loss, typically a death of someone close, but that doesn’t seem to be a part of the definitions of pena in the dictionaries I looked it up in. All the definitions and examples were more about either general sadness or pain, even inconvenience, or pity or empathy for others. Someone please tell me if I’m wrong! These kinds of connotations and implications… Read more »

zZLina
zZLina
10 months ago
Reply to  Niamh

As a native spanish speaker I agree with you! As far as I know, “pena” can mean “grief” but it can also mean “sadness”

Niamh
Niamh
10 months ago
Reply to  zZLina

Thank you for confirming!

Marian
Marian
11 months ago

Hi, thanks for all the information you provide.
But I have a question. Does anyone else think there is a mistake in the lyrics?
In my opinion it does not say “lagrimitas del Nilo” (“little tears of the Nile”), but rather “lagrimitas de mi luz” (“little tears of my light”), since later it says “that at night your eyes illuminate me like suns”. What do you think? Does it make more sense?
I am obsessed with this song!
Regards.

zZLiina
zZLiina
10 months ago
Reply to  Marian

Answering a month later but no! It does in fact say “Lagrimitas del Nilo”. Im Spanish and I’m not really sure what it means (I guess it´s a metaphor) but I´m pretty sure the lyrics are correct

Bobb
Bobb
1 year ago

Dont need a lyrics section for this song.
Its literally just eaea eaea eaeaea eae

Sven
Sven
1 year ago

I love it

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

Whereas Norway made an oopsie poopsie with their selection, Spain luckily didn’t mimic that. This sounds mystical without being too off-putting like Conan Osiris in 2019. This is probably the most unique Spanish entry we’ve seen in a long time

Koil
Koil
1 year ago

Too out of the box for it to gain a momentum at Eurovision, but I’m speaking from a foreign point of view. But if Spanish people feel this is what they want as a representative then that’s what they want.

I’d compare this to last year’s tit globe woman, where the message went through only to those who were Spanish.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago
Reply to  Koil

I wouldn’t write this off that way. Konstrakta’s entry worked when by that same logic it totally shouldn’t have. Maybe it was the clapping and the repeated ‘biti zdrava’ that made it easy to follow, but I think this still has its chances to get across well.

Koil
Koil
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

It’s the shouting that makes me question this song’s ability to succeed, Konstrakta’s song was different style so it’s a bit hard to compare these two togerher.

Peter Young
Peter Young
1 year ago
Reply to  Koil

Shouting? Get some knowledge mate! This song will do great . Anyone with taste can appreciate this even if they don’t like it

Film4o
Film4o
1 year ago

I can see easily this being outside top 20 in the final. I love Blanca Paloma. Her song last year was way better. This year she has better staging and looks great and her outfit is perfect however this song is on the verge of being absolutely unalienable. I was watching with my best friend and he said to turn down the volume, because she was shouting too much and his head started to hurt. This is not a playlist and radio friendly song. Of course whatever happens, happens. Im not the one deciding.

Peter Young
Peter Young
1 year ago
Reply to  Film4o

Since when a song needs to be radio friendly to win?

clothespin
clothespin
1 year ago

I’m gonna say it again because I’m not sure it got approved, but it’s excellent and I hope it wins

clothespin
clothespin
1 year ago

Really good, I hope it wins although Benidorm is so good I would be happy with really anything

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

It’s “Eaea”, not “EaEa”

Vale
Vale
1 year ago

Good vocalist. I personally liked her song from last year. I hope this year the Expert jury won’t overturn the public vote. But I think this song lacks in a strong chorus and in a variation between low and high notes.

Yoo
Yoo
1 year ago

So, in this case, eaea is like nuna nej (nuna nuna nuna nuna nuna nej) Serbia 2008?
If Spain send this, Blanca could be the winner in may.

Lorena
Lorena
1 year ago

I am reading a couple of “comments” (I mean hate) here… but the Spanish eurofans are the toxic ones…. I see

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Lorena

It’s just Jonkonfui.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

I accept my toxicity just bc u are the first person ever Who wrote my “name” correctly. Wanna marry me?

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

You’re creepy.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

I take that as a no.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

People what the hell is Wrong with u? I dont see myself going to the Lithuanian thread to say: hey you Lithuanian people, the song you like makes my ears bleed, IS just yelling, and so on.
What kind of toxic losers are you?
If you dont like what we like It is perfectly fine but please note that we dont give a shhhh about ur ears. Just move on to whatever makes ur ears jump of Joy.
Werent we the Spanish Eurofans the toxic N obnoxous ones?

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

People have opinions and they feel like expressing them. Get over it.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

And i have opiniones too. Am i not entitled to express myself?

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

You are but I am simply telling you that you should not be so bothered by others’ thoughts because you clearly are very bothered. Considering your comments towards Ari & Polegend.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Why am i “toxic” and the others “have opinions and they feel like expressing them”?

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Because criticizing a potential ESC entry is one thing but once you go after a person it becomes toxic. If someone was insulting an artist I’d call them out too.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Criticizing a potential Esc winner is saying: i dont like this song. Saying “my ears bleed” IS not criticizing but just being mean towards the job of somebody else.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

“It makes my ears bleed” sounds like a critique to me lol.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Ok so why when I express my critiques to somebody else’ s comment am i toxic? I am just reacting to someone, same as the ear bleeder reacts to someone else Who sings.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

I mean why if i say “your opinion makes me puke” IS toxic but if you say “her song makes my ear bleed” is just a “critique”?

Aksel Kankaanranta's husband
Aksel Kankaanranta's husband
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

i had a stroke reading this

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago

this is definitely not going to sound pleasant to most foreigners, but if spaniards feel represented by it and don’t mind a potential (and very likely) low result, then they’re free to proudly send it.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

U a psychic or just stupid?

Milan
Milan
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Obviously you still haven’t mastered the difference between “just expressing your opinion” and “being toxic”.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Milan

There is no difference. This “toxic” thing is just another stupid nowadays notion. The only difference between expressing your opinion and being toxic líes on which side are you in.

Michele
Michele
1 year ago

Says who? a PLUTERina cacarina fan?

KRM
KRM
1 year ago

Leí lo mismo el año pasado. Estilo que representa a España, canta en español, buena voz, buen paisaje, etc. No todos los países europeos tienen tanta identidad musical como España. Sí, podemos enviar pop genérico, pop americano, pero así Eurovisión pierde su encanto.

KRM
KRM
1 year ago
Reply to  KRM

Leí lo mismo el año pasado. Estilo que representa a España, canta en español, buena voz, buen paisaje, etc. No todos los países europeos tienen tanta identidad musical como España. Sí, podemos enviar pop genérico, pop americano, pero así Eurovisión pierde su encanto.

Ari
Ari
1 year ago

I don’t hear what the fuss is about. It’s just noisy and unpleasant to me and I’d never listen to it intentionally. I feel zero connection to it so can’t even say if it’s good or bad, I just want none of it. I tend to love entries with ethnic elements, but those I love usually sound way more soothing and way less aggressive. As always though, I wish for the local voters to get what they want, whatever that may be. Even if it’s this.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Ari

Ok It is part of our culture. If u dont like It, perfecto fine u can use our song to go N pee. We wont miss you anyway.

Ari
Ari
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Unless you wrote it, which I doubt, this is not your song. K thx bye

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Ari

When It is part of us N of Who we are, It is definitely ours. But I understand you dont understand

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

I love those white trousers, but they are wasted on camera. They need to be seen up close to be appreciated.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

Oh! I like these lyrics! Didn’t know it was so engrained in Spanish Flamenco culture. That would make it a VERY good representative for Eurovision, not a winner, but definitely one the jury and eurofans can enjoy. I’m not the song will have the immedicy to hook televoters who haven’t seen this on the night but it would be an interesting shakeup from Chanel last year and I think Blanco definitely deserves a shot at Eurovision since she participated last year with a good song too! It would be like rewarding hard work and send the message that you CAN… Read more »

sam
sam
1 year ago

i could genuinely see blanca paloma winning eurovision and i’m so here for it

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

That’s a Lullaby?

I’m not gonna add anymore thoughts people hate me on this site enough.

Actually wait who cares? Umm yea I hate this song it makes my ears bleed but great vocals! Good luck in Liverpool if you win Saturday!

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

People hate you on this site?? Lacking attention or something?

Alfie28
Alfie28
1 year ago

I found this performce and song very annoying to my ears.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Alfie28

Ok then so dont listen to It anymore and ur ears Will b Happy

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Man. This is wiwi. We dont give a shhhh about ur ears

Young_At_Heart_In_Austin
Young_At_Heart_In_Austin
1 year ago

Her studio cut did nothing for me. But the live version was beyond excellent. Bianca Paloma can SING!!

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

Marry me