| La llorona (The weeping woman) – Chela Tumbao Everyone calls me ‘the black’, Llorona Black but loving Everyone calls me ‘the black’, Llorona Black but loving I am like the green chili pepper, Llorona spicy, but tasty I am like the green chili pepper, Llorona spicy, but tasty Alas, Llorona, Llorona, Llorona of sky-blue Alas, Llorona, Llorona, Llorona of sky-blue Although it costs me my life, Llorona I will not stop loving you Although it costs me my life, Llorona I will not stop loving you To a holy iron Christ [Crucifix], Llorona, I told to him my sins. To a holy iron Christ [Crucifix], Llorona, I told to him my sins. Which would not be my sorrows, Llorona, that the holy Christ wept? Which would not be my sorrows, Llorona, that the holy Christ wept? Alas!, Llorona, Llorona, Llorona take me to the river, Alas!, Llorona, Llorona, Llorona take me to the river, Cover me with your shawl, Llorona Because I am dying of cold. Cover me with your shawl, Llorona Because I am dying of cold. I carry two kisses in my soul, Llorona, that will never leave me, I carry two kisses in my soul, Llorona, that will never leave me, The last one from my mother, Llorona, and the first one I gave to you. The last one from my mother, Llorona, and the first one I gave to you. If because I love you, you want, Llorona, you want me to love you more. If because I love you, you want, Llorona, you want me to love you more. If I have already given my life to you, Llorona, What more do you want?, You want more? If I have already given my life to you, Llorona, What more do you want?, You want more? 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| Tanguyuu (Clay Doll) Night has fallen, my son, Go to sleep, my dear child, Tomorrow morning I’ll go buy you The clay doll you’ve been asking for. Clay doll, clay doll, Clay doll made in the Bixhana neighborhood, Clay doll, clay doll, Clay doll — toy of the Zapotec child. I’ll buy you a clay doll So you will remember me, The one you like most, the most beautiful, My grown boy, my son. Clay doll, clay doll, Clay doll made in the Bixhana neighborhood, Clay doll, clay doll, Clay doll — toy of the Zapotec child. Even when I’m in the grave, You’ll still have your doll, The one I gave you So you will remember me. Clay doll, clay doll, Clay doll made in the Bixhana neighborhood, Clay doll, clay doll, Clay doll — toy of the Zapotec child. 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| La Guapachosa (The Joyful Catrina) – Chela Tumbao I was making a little altar on the first of November, With its cempasĂşchil flowers And all the things that made them happy. And as I placed their little portrait, A sudden breeze came from nowhere. My skin got goosebumps, It left me quite startled. Playful Catrina, Who entertains herself with the wind — She comes and goes, goes and comes, She comes and goes, goes and comes. Cheerful little skull, Who entertains herself with the wind — She comes and goes, goes and comes, She comes and goes, goes and comes. Don’t go scaring me, I’ve already lit your candles. I’ve set out your flowers, your little Virgin, Your mole, your tortillas, Your cigarette, your little tequila. What more do you want, dear Catrina? I think you want to sing — You go and come, you come and go, You go and come, you come and go. Playful Catrina, Who entertains herself with the wind — She comes and goes, goes and comes, She comes and goes, goes and comes. Cheerful little skull, Who entertains herself with the wind — She comes and goes, goes and comes, She comes and goes, goes and comes. Don’t go scaring me, I’ve already lit your candles. I’ve set out your flowers, your little Virgin, Your mole, your tortillas, Your cigarette, your little tequila. What more do you want, dear Catrina? I think you want to sing — You go and come, you come and go, You go and come, you come and go. I was making a little altar on the first of November. 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| La Bilirrubina (The Bilirubin) – The Choir Canto Vivo Hey, I caught a fever the other day Because of your love, girl I ended up in the clinic Without having health insurance. And they injected me with colored serum, hey And took my X-ray And they diagnosed me with love sickness, uh Seeing my heart race like it did. Hey, they even messed with my soul With X-rays and surgery But science just doesn’t work Only your kisses, my dear Oh girl, go get a catheter, hey And inject your love like insulin And give me a vitamin of affection, eh! ‘Cause my bilirubin’s gone up My bilirubin’s rising (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) When I look at you and you don’t look back (Oh! When I look at you and you don’t look back) And aspirin won’t fix it (No! Not even a shot of penicillin) It’s a love that contaminates (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) Hey! My bilirubin’s rising (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) When I look at you and you don’t look back (Oh! When I look at you and you don’t look back) And aspirin won’t fix it (No! Not even a shot of penicillin) It’s a love that contaminates (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) Hey! Hey! My bilirubin’s rising (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) When I look at you and you don’t look back (Oh! When I look at you and you don’t look back) And aspirin won’t fix it (No! Not even a shot of penicillin) It’s a love that contaminates (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) My bilirubin’s rising (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) When I look at you and you don’t look back (Oh! When I look at you and you don’t look back) And aspirin won’t fix it (No! Not even a shot of penicillin) It’s a love that contaminates (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) Oh girl, go get a catheter, hey And inject your love like insulin My face is turning yellow, eh! And my bilirubin’s gone up My bilirubin’s rising (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) When I look at you and you don’t look back (Oh! When I look at you and you don’t look back) And aspirin won’t fix it (No! Not even a shot of penicillin) It’s a love that contaminates (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) Hey! My bilirubin’s rising (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) When I look at you and you don’t look back (Oh! When I look at you and you don’t look back) And aspirin won’t fix it (No! Not even a shot of penicillin) It’s a love that contaminates (Oh! My bilirubin’s rising) 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| Mariposa Azul (Blue Butterfly) – The Choir Canto Vivo I wish you’d come by and visit me Tell me — will you let me know or just show up? I wish you’d bring so much time we could give some away, ’Cause here no one knows how long we’ll stay I wish you’d come by and visit me, See you, even if just for a little while. Come quick so you can hear this song — I wrote it ’cause I carry you in my heart. Since you’ve been gone, since you’re not here, A blue butterfly follows me everywhere. Since you’ve been gone, since you’re not here, A blue butterfly flutters all around me. I wish you’d come and visit me, Bring along the friends you’ve made up there. Tell me your stories, your jokes, your tender thoughts — Those talks I miss so much they make me cry. Since you’ve been gone, since you’re not here, A blue butterfly follows me everywhere. I still don’t get why He chose you — Maybe He just needed someone who’d make Him laugh. I’m sure by now He knows you loved beyond measure, And planned a never-ending party just for you. Since you’ve been gone, since you’re not here, A blue butterfly follows me everywhere. Since you’ve been gone, since you’re not here, A blue butterfly flutters all around me. 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| Todo Cambia (Everything Changes) – The Choir Canto Vivo That which is shallow changes, But so does all that runs deep. The way we think changes — Everything in this world changes. The weather keeps shifting, The shepherd tends a new flock, And just like everything changes, It’s no surprise that I’ve changed too. The brightest jewel grows dull as it changes hands, A little bird builds itself another nest, A lover’s heart turns, changes its tune, And the wanderer chooses a longer road, Even knowing it might cost them more — And just as everything changes, It’s no wonder that I’ve changed too. Changing — everything changes. (chorus) Even the sun gives way when it’s time for night Change comes to the plants — She puts on green for spring. The beast will shed its coat, The old will change their hair, And just as everything changes, It’s no surprise that I’ve changed too. But my love will never change, No matter how far I am — Nor will the memory or the ache For my land and my people. And what changed yesterday Will have to change again tomorrow, Just as I keep changing In this faraway land. Changing — everything changes. (chorus) 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| El Huamanqueño (The Humahuacan Carnival) – The Choir Canto Vivo The carnival’s arriving now, My sweetheart from the quebrada! The carnival’s arriving now, My little one from Humahuaca! It’s the feast of the gorge — Humahuaca sings out loud! The charango and the drum are rising, Carnavalito shakes the crowd! Oh, dancer from the quebrada, Little one from Humahuaca! Oh, dancer from the quebrada, Little one from Humahuaca! It’s the feast of the gorge — Humahuaca sings out loud! The charango and the drum are calling, Carnavalito — come dance now! The carnival’s arriving now, My sweetheart from the quebrada! The carnival’s arriving now, My little one from Humahuaca! It’s the feast of the gorge — Humahuaca sings out loud! The charango and the drum are rising, Carnavalito shakes the crowd! Oh, dancer from the quebrada, Little one from Humahuaca! Oh, dancer from the quebrada, Little one from Humahuaca! It’s the feast of the gorge — Humahuaca sings out loud! The charango and the drum are calling, Carnavalito — come dance now! 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| La Bikina (The Proud Woman / The Solitary Woman) – Chela Tumbao The Bikina walks alone, People begin to whisper. They say she carries a sorrow, They say she carries a sorrow that makes her weep. Proud, beautiful, and noble, She allows no one to offer her comfort. She passes, displaying her royal majesty, She passes, walks on, and looks at them without truly seeing. She carries sorrow and pain — The Bikina — She has never known love. Proud, beautiful, and noble, She allows no one to offer her comfort. They say someone once came and then left, They say she spends her nights weeping for him. She carries sorrow and pain — The Bikina — She has never known love. Proud, beautiful, and noble, She allows no one to offer her comfort. They say someone once came and then left, They say she spends her nights weeping for him, They say she spends her nights weeping for him, They say she spends her nights weeping for him. 🪗 Notes: La Bikina is a fictional name created by composer RubĂ©n Fuentes in the 1960s. The song portrays a proud, elegant woman who walks alone—admired yet untouchable. She symbolizes strength, dignity, and independence, making this piece a timeless icon of Mexican mariachi music. 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| El ChuchumbĂ© (The Chuchumbe) – Colectivo Yollotl Son Jarocho Gentlemen, what is this song? Gentlemen, the chuchumbĂ© Its intonation is beautiful. It sounds good and it looks beautiful Farewell to you Farewell to you The chuchumbĂ© You’ll like it Farewell to you Farewell to you The chuchumbĂ© You’ll like it Standing on the corner is a Friar of La Merced With his habits raised Showing the chuchumbĂ© May it go well for you May it go badly for you The chuchumbĂ© Will catch you May it go well for you May it go badly for you The chuchumbĂ© Will catch you Give me what I ask for I’m not asking for your life From the waist down From the knee up May it go well for you May it go badly for you The chuchumbĂ© Will catch you May it go well for you May it go badly for you The chuchumbĂ© Will catch you Death passed through here With her needle and thimble Searching house to house A hole to patch Good luck to you Good luck to you The chuchumbĂ© It’s going to come to you Good luck to you Good luck to you The chuchumbĂ© It’s going to come to you The chuchumbĂ© was banned By the Holy Inquisition But they forgot That it was a delicious rhythm Good luck to you Good luck to you The chuchumbĂ© It’s going to come to you Good luck to you Good luck to you The chuchumbĂ© It’s going to come to you I bid you farewell The only one I know No matter how much you run away from it in life A chuchumbĂ© will get to you Good luck to you Good luck to you The chuchumbĂ© is going to end Good luck to you Good luck to you The chuchumbĂ© is going to end 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| La Iguana (The Iguana) – Colectivo Yollotl Son Jarocho The iguana I had Fled off to the border They say in the mountains It couldn’t find a way My iguana Where are you going? I’m going to the port Of Soledad To see my love who’s leaving now Is it a lie or is it true? what people are saying that there’s no news around the port with that story of freedom a laritangea! Iguana so ugly! It climbs up the tree So you can see it And throws itself to the ground How it wiggles! She sticks out her little tongue And the she moves it Puffs out her cheeks And she moves her cheeks Oh, with her little belly button She moves her belly button A la gea, gea! A la gea, gea! A la gea, gea! The iguana I had Fled off to the border What’s that greening In the middle of the savannah I thought it was grass And it was the damn iguana My iguana Where are you going? I’m going to the town of Soledad. Is it a lie or is it true? what people are saying over there that in this town there are no news and if there were it would be little a laritangea! What an ugly iguana That climbs the tree And then gets off Lays its egg Cocks it Goes into the hole So they can’t see it Now it throws itself on the ground So they can see it Do the same That the ugly iguana Moves its head Like it nods Moves its shoulders Like a shake Moves its tail Like it wags it A la gea, gea! A la gea, gea! A la gea, gea! What’s that greening In the middle of the savannah A garrobo went to meet the iguana one morning from the kisses they gave each other they set the savannah on fire My iguana Where are you going? I’m going to the town of Soledad. Is it a lie? or is it true? what people there are saying that there’s no news with the people in the village and if there were, it wouldn’t be much a laritangea! What an ugly iguana, that climbs the pole and shakes itself raises its little leg as if it’s kicking looks at itself in the mirror because it’s very ugly sticks out its little hand as if it’s waving wags its little tail as if it’s waggling A la gea, gea! A la gea, gea! A la gea, gea! A garrobo went to meet the iguana one morning 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| El Colas (The Colas) – Colectivo Yollotl Son Jarocho Beautiful Plaza de Armas Which in Veracruz is Surrounded by girls And in the middle, Nicolás Colás, Colás Colás and Nicolás How much I love you And the bad pay you give me If you want, if you can If not, you’ll tell me Oh, how beautifully dances The wife of Nicolás Today I come to celebrate Just 15 years Dancing with Nahualli Singing Colás here Today I come to celebrate Just 15 years Nahualli is celebrating Don’t stop dancing Colás, Colás Colás and Nicolás How much I love you And the bad pay you give me If you want, if you can If not, you’ll tell me With those black eyes You look at me and then walk away What a good horse has My friend Nicolás It walks forward It walks backwards Colás, Colás Colás and Nicolás How much I love you And the bad pay you give me. If you want, if you can If not, you’ll tell me I ask you to come closer and you step back When I had money They called me Nicolás Now that I don’t have any They just call me Colás Colás, Colás Colás and Nicolás How much I love you And the bad pay you give me. If you want, if you can If not, you’ll tell me Oh, how beautifully The wife of Nicolás Look out, my love At the foot of your balcony Cradle me in your arms For the last time Colás, Colás Colás and Nicolás How much I love you And the bad pay you give me If you want, if you can If not, you’ll tell me With those black eyes You look at me and then walk away With this I say goodbye Because I can’t take it anymore Here they go singing The verses of Colás Colás, Colás Colás and Nicolás How much I love you And the bad pay you give me If you want, if you can If not, you’ll tell me I ask you to come closer and you step back 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| La Bruja (The Witch) – Chela Tumbao Oh! how beautiful it is to fly At 2 in the morning To fly and fall In the arms of a lady Hide, Chepa And hide, Juana There goes the witch Under the bed Hide, Chepa Hide, Joba There goes the witch Flying on her broom Oh, tell me, Oh, tell me Oh, tell me How many little creatures have you sucked off? None, none Don’t you see, I’m trying To suck you off I met a witch Who was flying through the air So I asked her Who she was looking for She said: “Who are you?” I’m a huapango singer The witch grabs me She wants to take me I take the broom from her And she can’t fly The witch grabs me She takes me to the little room She hugs me and squeezes me And gives me little kisses Oh, tell me, tell me Tell me How many little creatures have you sucked? None, none None, don’t you see, I’m trying To suck you off Now you’re damn witch You’ve already sucked my son Now you’re going to suck Your husband’s belly button The witch grabs me She takes me to her house She turns me into a flowerpot And a pumpkin The witch grabs me She takes me to the barracks She sits me at the table And feeds me Oh, tell me, tell me Tell me How many little creatures have you sucked off You None, no one None, don’t you see, I’m trying To suck you off 🪗 Notes: La Bruja is a traditional folk song from Veracruz, Mexico, blending mystery, humor, and sensuality. It reflects local legends about witches who fly at night but also celebrates the wit and rhythm of the son jarocho tradition — a style where storytelling, music, and dance come together in playful, symbolic expression. 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| Intermission (20 mins) |
| La Martiniana – Chela Tumbao Girl, when I die, Don’t cry over my grave. Sing me a beautiful son, oh mama, Sing me La Sandunga. Girl, when I die, Don’t cry over my grave. Sing me a beautiful son, oh mama, Sing me La Sandunga. Don’t cry for me, no, Don’t cry for me, no, Because if you cry, I suffer. But if you sing to me instead, I’ll always live and never die. But if you sing to me instead, I’ll always live and never die. Morning star, King of all sones, Sing La Martiniana, oh mama, That breaks hearts. Morning star, King of all sones, Sing, sing La Martiniana, oh mama, That breaks hearts. Don’t cry for me, no, Don’t cry for me, no, Because if you cry, I suffer. But if you sing to me instead, I’ll always live and never die. But if you sing to me instead, I’ll always live and never die. If you want me to remember you, If you want me not to forget you, Sing songs from the soul, oh mama, Music that never dies. If you want me to remember you, If you want me not to forget you, Sing my songs from the soul, oh mama, Music that never dies. Don’t cry for me, no, Don’t cry for me, no, Because if you cry, I suffer. But if you sing to me instead, I’ll always live and never die. But if you sing to me instead, I’ll always live and never die. 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| Cucurrucucu Paloma (“Coo Coo, Dove”) – Chela Tumbao They say that at night He would spend his time only weeping. They say he couldn’t sleep, That he spent his nights only drinking. They swear that even the heavens Trembled upon hearing his cry. He suffered so much for her That even in death, he called her name. CucurrucucĂş, he sang, Ha, ha, ha, ha, he laughed, Ay, ay, ay, ay, he wept — Of a mortal passion, he died. They say that a lonely dove Comes early each morning to sing At the little house, all alone, With its doors wide open. They swear that this dove Is nothing but his soul, Still waiting for her To return, the unfortunate one. CucurrucucĂş, dove, CucurrucucĂş, don’t cry! Stones, oh dove — They know nothing of love. CucurrucucĂş, cucurrucucĂş, CucurrucucĂş, dove, don’t cry! 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| Closing |
| Mexico Lindo y Querido – English follows. Voz de la guitarra mĂa Al despertar la mañana Quiere cantar su alegrĂa A mi tierra mexicana Yo le canto a sus volcanes A sus praderas y flores Que son como talismanes Del amor de mis amores MĂ©xico lindo y querido Si muero lejos de ti Que digan que estoy dormido Y que me traigan aquĂ Que digan que estoy dormido Y que me traigan aquĂ MĂ©xico lindo y querido Si muero lejos de ti Que me entierren en la sierra Al pie de los magueyales Y que me cubra esta tierra Que es cuna de hombres cabales Voz de la guitarra mĂa Al despertar la mañana Quiere cantar su alegrĂa A mi tierra mexicana MĂ©xico lindo y querido Si muero lejos de ti Que digan que estoy dormido Y que me traigan aquĂ Que digan que estoy dormido Y que me traigan aquĂ MĂ©xico lindo y querido Si muero lejos de ti. 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
| Mexico Lindo y Querido (Beautiful and Beloved Mexico) – Chela Tumbao / Mariachi Tabasko Voice of my guitar, At the break of dawn, Wants to sing with joy To my Mexican land. I sing to its volcanoes, Its meadows and its flowers, Which are like talismans Of the love of all my loves. Beautiful and beloved Mexico, If I should die far from you, Let them say that I am only asleep, And bring me back here. Let them say that I am only asleep, And bring me back here. Beautiful and beloved Mexico, If I should die far from you. Let them bury me in the mountains, At the foot of the maguey fields, And let this earth cover me — The cradle of noble men. Voice of my guitar, At the break of dawn, Wants to sing with joy To my Mexican land. Beautiful and beloved Mexico, If I should die far from you, Let them say that I am only asleep, And bring me back here. Let them say that I am only asleep, And bring me back here. Beautiful and beloved Mexico, If I should die far from you. 🕯️🎶 🎵 ✨🌻 |
Lyrics from The Performance 🎶 🎵 🕯️
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