Mexico Lindo y Querido
When I started work on this post, I planned on writing about “México Lindo y Querido”. I will do so, but I’ll also mention “Golpes Que de la Vida”, a song I stumbled upon while researching “México Lindo y Querido”
The English translation of “México Lindo y Querido” is “My Beautiful and Beloved Mexico”. It’s a song that is regarded in Mexico somewhat like “America the Beautiful” is in the U.S. It expresses patriotism, nostalgia, and love that resonate with Mexicans and the Mexican diaspora. It was written by Chucho Monge and popularized by José Negrete in the 1952 movie "Forever Yours." Negrete was known as El Charro Cantor (the singing cowboy). He began his career in opera, later moving into ranchera, a Mexican folk genre. He recorded over 200 songs and performed in three dozen films. Here is Monge’s version, and here is Negrete’s.
Different artists have given the song different treatments:
— mariachi with full orchestra by Mariachi Internacional CHG
— operatic by Los Tres Tenores Mexicanos
— ranchera by Vincente Fernández
— a music video by Luz Rios
Here are some of the lyrics in English of “México Lindo y Querido”.
My beautiful and beloved Mexico
should I die far from you
let them say I'm asleep
and bring me back to you
Let them say I'm asleep
and bring me back to you
my beautiful and beloved Mexico
should I die far from you.
México Lindo y Querido” is variously described as mariachi or ranchera. It can be either, depending on how it is interpreted and played. Mariachi is a Mexican genre typically performed by a small orchestra featuring trumpets, violins, vihuelas, guitarrón, and vocals. It’s also the music of many small, three- or four-person, strolling groups. The lyrics are often patriotic, emotional, and sentimental. The members of the groups dress in flamboyant, traditional costumes that are immediately recognized for what they are. Ranchera is more of a folk style about country life and life on the ranch.
“Golpes Que de la Vida”, the song I stumbled upon, is here done by La Sonora Santanera. It’s off their album Grandes Éxitos de los Sonoras, Con la Más Grande, La Sonora Santanera. It’s a greatest hits album with many guest artists like Lila Downs, Natalia Lafourcade, and Johnny Ventura.
I wanna do right, but not right now
— Lucinda Williams