Audio file
Title: La Rancherita
Date recorded: April 24, 1939
Contributor(s): Performer: Longoria, Manuela; Recordist: Lomax, John A.Belongs to: Brownsville I 4/39
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Date recorded: April 24, 1939
Contributor(s): Performer: Longoria, Manuela; Recordist: Lomax, John A.
Subject(s):
Genre: narrative song
Instruments: voice
Setting: The home of Manuela Longoria
Language: Spanish
Location: Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, United States
Physical form: Acetate Disc
Tape number: AFS2607
Track Number: 1
Archive ID: 2607A1
Note: Manuela asks Lomax in the beginning "The same one?" And he responds "the same one" The lyrics of this performance correspond with the lyrics written in Ruby's notes for La Rancherita. Additionally, from Ruby's notes: "I was youngest of nine children in the family and my father's favorite. When he would come home on his big handsome horse from one of his five ranches, he would begin to sing this song way down the road as a signal to me to meet him. Then we would dance together to the snappy music. My mother thought it was silly."
Tomando copas de tinto y cerveza
Paso las horas de mi vida aquí
Mejor quisiera aquel sabroso pollo, Como en el rancho donde yo nací. Aquí toditos usan tacón alto Cosas que siempre me han chocado a mi Mejor quisiera aquella hermosa bota Como en el rancho donde yo naci. Aquí toditos usan sombrero chiquito De tan chiquito parece kepi
Mejor quisiera grande y con barboquejo Como en el rancho de yo nací. Aquí se pasean en las banquetas Dándose vueltas por aquí y allí Mejor quisiera andar lazando vacas Como en el rancho de yo nací. Aquí se baila con hermosas músicas Cosas que nunca me han gustado a mi Mejor quisiera violín y tambora Como en el rancho donde yo nací. Aquí meriendan con ricas cemitas En pan que siempre me a chocado a mi Mejor quisiera aquellas [asaderos?] Como en el rancho donde yo nací. Drinking cups of wine and beer
I pass the hours of my life here
I’d much prefer that tasty chicken
Like on the ranch where I was born
Here everyone uses high heels
Something that’s never agreed with me
I’d much prefer that lovely [style of] boot
Like on the ranch where I was born
Here everyone uses small hats
So small that they look like kepis
I’d much prefer a large hat with a chinstrap
Like on the ranch where I was born.
Here they walk along on sidewalks
Something that I’ve never liked
I’d much prefer to be roping cattle
Like on the ranch where I was born
Here they dance to pretty tunes
Something that’s never agreed with me
I’d much prefer the fiddle and drum
Like on the ranch where I was born
Here they snack on fancy rolls
A bread that’s never agreed with me
I’d much prefer those [?]
Like on the ranch where I was born.
Tomando copas de tinto y cerveza
Paso las horas de mi vida aquí
Mejor quisiera aquel sabroso pollo, Como en el rancho donde yo nací. Aquí toditos usan tacón alto Cosas que siempre me han chocado a mi Mejor quisiera aquella hermosa bota Como en el rancho donde yo naci. Aquí toditos usan sombrero chiquito De tan chiquito parece kepi
Mejor quisiera grande y con barboquejo Como en el rancho de yo nací. Aquí se pasean en las banquetas Dándose vueltas por aquí y allí Mejor quisiera andar lazando vacas Como en el rancho de yo nací. Aquí se baila con hermosas músicas Cosas que nunca me han gustado a mi Mejor quisiera violín y tambora Como en el rancho donde yo nací. Aquí meriendan con ricas cemitas En pan que siempre me a chocado a mi Mejor quisiera aquellas [asaderos?] Como en el rancho donde yo nací. Drinking cups of wine and beer
I pass the hours of my life here
I’d much prefer that tasty chicken
Like on the ranch where I was born
Here everyone uses high heels
Something that’s never agreed with me
I’d much prefer that lovely [style of] boot
Like on the ranch where I was born
Here everyone uses small hats
So small that they look like kepis
I’d much prefer a large hat with a chinstrap
Like on the ranch where I was born.
Here they walk along on sidewalks
Something that I’ve never liked
I’d much prefer to be roping cattle
Like on the ranch where I was born
Here they dance to pretty tunes
Something that’s never agreed with me
I’d much prefer the fiddle and drum
Like on the ranch where I was born
Here they snack on fancy rolls
A bread that’s never agreed with me
I’d much prefer those [?]
Like on the ranch where I was born.
About the session: This record was recorded at the Brownsville home of Blalack school principal Manuela Longoria. She was educated in the public schools of Brownsville, the College of Arts and Iddustries at Kingsville, and the Universtiy of Texas. Most of the songs she performed she learned from her father, a Conferderate soldier who served along the border. Her grandfather joined the Union army.
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