A collection of traditional Mariachi tunes arranged for Voice with piano accompaniment. Easy to Advanced Level
1.
Guantanamera
The author of this traditional Cuban song is unclear, although is sometimes attributed to to José Fernández Dia. The best known lyrics are an adaption of words by Cuban poet and independence hero José Martí. In 1966, a version by American vocal group The Sandpipers, based on an arrangement by Pete Seeger, became an international hit. Though Cuban in origin the song is a popular choice for Mexican Mariachi bands.
Yo soy un hombre sincero De donde crecen las palmas Yo soy un hombre sincero De donde crece la palma Y antes de morir yo quiero Echar mis versos del alma
"Cielito lindo" is a popular Mexican song popularized in 1882 by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés. It is roughly translated as "Lovely Sweet One". Although the word "cielo" means sky or heaven, it is also a term of endearment comparable to sweetheart or honey. Commonly played by mariachi bands, it has been recorded by many artists in the original Spanish as well as in other languages. In recent decades it has come to be widely known as a theme song for Mexico, particularly at international events, like the FIFA World Cup.
LYRICS: De la Sierra Morena, cielito lindo, vienen bajando, Un par de ojitos negros, cielito lindo, de contrabando.
Refrain: Ay, ay, ay, ay, Canta y no llores, Porque cantando se alegran, cielito lindo, los corazones.
La golondrina (Spanish: The Swallow) is a song written in 1862 by Mexican physician Narciso Serradell Sevilla (1843-1910), who at the time was exiled to France due to the French intervention in Mexico. The Spanish lyrics use the image of a migrating swallow to evoke sentiments of longing for the homeland. It became the signature song of exiled Mexicans.
LYRICS: A donde irá veloz y fatigada la golondrina que de aquí se va por si en el viento se hallara extraviada buscando abrigo y no lo encontrara.
Though a popular song amongst Mariachi bands, 'De Colores' ('Of Colours') probably originated in Spain, having been brought to the Americas during the colonial era. The song is an expression of joy at the colours of the natural world. It has become a rally song in U.S. United Farm Workers Union marches and has also been used by the Catholic church.
LYRICS: De colores, de colores se visten los campos en la primavera De colores, de colores son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera De colores, de colores es el arco iris que vemos lucir Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí
Alfonso Esparza Oteo's 'Las Mañanitas' is to Mexico what 'Happy Birthday' is in many other parts of the world. It is usually sung first thing in the morning on the day of a person's birthday. Like 'Happy Birthday' it is possible to insert the name of the persons whose birthday it is, here after the words 'Depierta, mi...' Popular amongst mariachi bands it has also been covered by many solo artists. The most famous version is by Pedro Infante in the movie 'Nosotros los pobres.'
LYRICS: Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el rey David hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti.
Despierta, mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amaneció, ya los pajaritos cantan, la luna ya se metió.
"La Paloma" is a popular song named after Paloma Mayer, having been produced and reinterpreted in diverse cultures, settings, arrangements, and recordings over the last 140 years. The song was composed and written by the Spanish composer of the Basque region Sebastian Iradier (later Yradier) after he visited Cuba in 1861. Iradier may have composed "La Paloma" around 1863, just two years before he died in obscurity, never to learn how popular his song would become.
LYRICS: Cuando salí de la Habana ¡Válgame Dios! Nadie me ha visto salir Si no fui yo. Y una linda Guachinanga Allá voy yo. Que se vino tras de mí, que sí, señor.
'La Adelita' is one of the most well-known Mexican corridos, a type of song that renders a well-known narrative into a ballad. The song dates from the Mexican Revolution of 1910–20 and is based on the story of a young woman named Adelita who fell in love with a soldier and who fought on the side of Madero, the popular instigator of the revolution.
LYRICS: En lo alto de una bruta serranía Acampado se encontraba un regimiento Y una moza que valiente lo seguía Locamente enamorada del sargento
