Alma Llanera
This song is considered Venuezuela's unofficial 2nd anthem. The type of song is called a joropo. It has a musical style like the fandango, with an accompanying dance. The style comes from the plains of Venezuela and Colombia called "Los Llanos".
Alma Llanera
Soul of The Plains
Canción de danza
Dance Song
(Spanish)
(English)
Yo nací en esta ribera
del Arauca vibrador,
soy hermana de la espuma,
de las garzas, de las rosas,
soy hermana de la espuma,
de las garzas, de las rosas
y del sol, y del sol.
Me arrulló la viva diana
de la brisa en el palmar,
y por eso tengo el alma
como el alma primorosa,
y por eso tengo el alma
como el alma primorosa
del cristal, del cristal.
Amo, lloro, canto, sueño
con claveles de pasión,
con claveles de pasión.
Amo, lloro, canto, sueño
para ornar las rubias crines
del potro de mi amador.
Yo nací en esta ribera
del Arauca vibrador,
soy hermana de la espuma,
de las garzas, de las rosas
y del sol.
I was born on the bank
of the rippling Arauca River,
I am sister of the foam,
of the herons, of the roses,
I am sister of the foam,
of the herons, of the roses
and of the sun, and of the sun.
I was lulled by the vivid music
of the breeze in the palm grove,
and that's why I have the soul
like the exquisite soul,
and that's why I have the soul
like the exquisite soul
of crystal, of crystal.
I love, I weep, I sing, I dream
of carnations of passion,
of carnations of passion.
I love, I weep, I sing, I dream
of adorning the blonde mane
of my lover's colt.
I was born on the bank
of the rippling Arauca River,
I am sister of the foam,
of the herons, of the roses
and of the sun.
Notes
Composer: Pedro Elías Gutiérrez
Lyricist: Rafael Bolívar Coronado
This song belongs to the one-act zarzuela called "Alma Llanera" which premiered on September 19, 1914. It was sung by the main female character, Rita. You can see the original version in the script here.
"A zarzuela is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular song, as well as dance." –Wikipedia
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translation by Lisa and Monique.
Photo of Arauca River by Dansar - Own work, cc by 2.5.
