El soldado raso

Annotation — Mexican-American / Hispanic Songs

The song "El soldado raso" (Freddie Records # FR-334) ("The Common Soldier") - a traditional Mexican war song, released in Corpus Christi, Texas, on a record label founded by Freddie Martínez, during the Vietnam War era. Ramon Ayala was born on 8 December 1945, in Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico, while the group Los Bravos del Norte was formed in Mexico, in 1971. Narrated from the perspective of "a private" off to war, the soldier was concerned about leaving his mother, asking the "Virgin of Guadalupe" to protect her - this is a Catholic title for the Virgin Mary, dating back to apparitions in December 1531 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The lyrics contained some nationalist content related to being Mexican: "I will prove that my race knows how to die" and "here goes another Meixcan that is going to risk his life". Transcription by Eric Silberberg and Ignacia Morales Reyes. Translation by Eric Silberberg.1Sources1El soldado raso (Ramón Ayala)↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

Spanish: I’m going to be a private / I’m going to enter the ranks / With the brave guys / That leave dear mothers / That leave girlfriends crying / Crying over their goodbye / I leave content for war / I got a rifle and a pistol / I will return a sargent / When this thing is finished / I only feel sorry / To leave my mother alone / Dark Virgin / To you I entrust my mother / Care for her, she is very good / Care for her until I return / Virgin of Guadalupe / Protect my flag / When you find me there in campaign / Very far from my country / I will prove that my race / Knows how to die where it wants / Tomorrow I leave early / At the break of the dawn / Here goes another Meixcan / That is going to risk his life / That says goodbye singing / Long live my country / Dark Virgin / Send him your consolation / Never again permit / That heaven take a life Spanish: "Me voy de soldado raso / Voy a ingresar a las filas / Con los valientes muchachos / Que dejan madres queridas / Que dejan novia llorando / Llorando su despedida / Salgo contento a la guerra / Ya tengo rifle y pistola / Ya volveré de sargento /Cuando se acabe la bola / Nomás una cosa siento / Dejar a mi madre sola / Virgen morena / Mi madre te encomiendo / Cuídala que es muy buena / Cuídala mientras vuelvo / Virgen guadalupana / Protégela a mi bandera / Hay cuando me halle en campaña / Muy lejos ya de mi tierra / Les probaré que mi raza / Sabe morir donde quiera / Mañana salgo temprano / Al despuntar nuevo día / Aquí va otro…

Notes

Freddie FR-334-1 (LH-18081), stereo, red label with trumpet logo, 1316 N. Chaparral, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401; "El Soldado Raso" (Felipe Valdez Leal), time 4:00; credited to Ramon Ayala y Los Bravos del Norte. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Ramon Ayala born 8 December 1945, Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico. Los Bravos del Norte formed 1971

Themes

Soldier's Perspective

In collections

Mexican-American / Hispanic Songs · US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]