Uncle Alvarez

To me it's about how little of life consists of the 'great accomplishments' that get attached to other people. It seems to say that you shouldn't judge people by that, and also that you shouldn't try to be judged like that. If you try to make a name for yourself, you end up bending the truth, and paying your old college, and glorifying yourself in postcards to your family.

I think the song is actually quite fond of Uncle Alvarez - but fond of aspects of him that won't be remembered in the family history. He's used to dance, and he's the one whose life has been messed up by the need to do things for the sake of posterity, or family glory, or whatever it is.