I have alluded in the past to my affinity for “musica ranchera,” which is a Mexican form that I would equate to country music back in the U.S. It is beer-drinking music for the broken-hearted, or for those who just want to get drunk. Last night we all (meaning, me and the rest of the mafioso Colombiano, plus Pablo), piled into the car and headed towards the mountains of Escazu to a little pueblo called Aserri, where you can find the greatest chicharronera in the country, the famous “Cacique Aserri.” Along the way the rancheras were turned up loud and we all belted out tune after tune of Vincente Fernandez favorites. One that I particularly like is “Hijo del Pueblo,” written by one of the greatest writers of rancheras classics, José Alfredo Jiménez, but most popularly performed by “El Charro de Mexico,” Vicente Fernandez. Although I had heard the song many times and knew a few of the words by heart, I had never taken the time to really learn the lyrics. Today I did and my, this is a great song! Great because it tells the story of a man, poor in material wealth, but rich in the things that matter. He proclaims that he is not ashamed to be identified with the poor people of his birthplace, because there you do not find the “falseness” that often accompanies material wealth. He claims to be happy in his poverty and questions how many millionaires can only wish to experience the peace that comes with being poor yet without fear. The song brings to mind George Bailey’s revelation in the concluding moments of It’s a Wonderful Life, when he finally realizes how lucky and rich he is, despite never having built a single bridge or sky-scraper, or crossed a single ocean blue. Sometimes it really does take a lifetime to realize such things. I believe all that junk that we accumulate in an effort to fill seemingly apparent voids in our lives, just serves to clutter our sense of peace and enjoyment. The clarity experienced and touted by “El Hijo del Pueblo” shows that one can be happy with little or nothing, simply by learning to be comfortable in your own skin, whatever shade of color it might exhibit, or however elegant-less it might be adorned.

Lyrics to El Hijo del Pueblo (in Spanish)

Es mi orgullo haber nacido
en el barrio más humilde;
alejado del bullicio
y de la falsa sociedad.

Yo no tengo la desgracia
de no ser hijo del pueblo;
yo me cuento entre la gente
que no tiene falsedad.

Mi destino es muy parejo
yo lo quiero como venga;
soportando una tristeza
o detrás de la ilusión.

Yo camino por la vida
muy feliz con mi pobreza;
como no tengo dinero
tengo mucho corazón.

Descendiente de Cuauhtémoc,
mexicano por fortuna;
desdichado en los amores
soy borracho y trovador.

Pero cuántos millonarios
quisieran vivir mi vida;
pa’ cantarle a la pobreza
sin sentir ningún temor.

Es por eso que es mi orgullo
ser del barrio más humilde;
alejado del bullicio
y de la falsa sociedad.

Yo compongo mis canciones
pa’ que el pueblo me las cante
y el día que el pueblo me falle
ese día voy a llorar.

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