Alma Llanera

The song "Alma Llanera" is a joropo, and is the traditional anthem of the llanero, or cowboy, of the Venezuelan llanos. Why, I don't know. Translating it, it hardly seems like something a lot of macho cowboys would sing. And if it is supposed to be the llanero's girlfriend singing it, why would she call herself "brother to the roses"? Perhaps it is intended to be a dialogue.

The song is from a zarzuela of the same name.

Alma Llanera
music by Pedro Elías Gutiérrez
lyrics by the poet Rafael Bolívar Coronado
First performed in Caracas in 1914

Yo nací en una ribera
del Arauca vibrador,
soy hermano de la espuma,
de las garzas, de las rosas,
y del sol, y del sol.

Amo, lloro, canto, sueño,
con claveles de pasión,
para ornar las rubias crines
al potro de mi amador.

Me arrulló la viva diana
de la brisa en el palmar,
y por eso tengo el alma
como el alma primorosa
del cristal, del cristal.

Amo, lloro, canto, sueño,
con claveles de pasión,
para ornar las rubias crines
al potro de mi amador.

English translation by geeklizzard:

Soul of the Savannas

Born on the banks
of the swift-flowing river Arauca,
I am brother to its herons,
brother to the roses and the sun.

I love, sing, cry, and dream
bringing passionate blooms
to adorn the golden mane
of my lover's brave steed.

The lively reveille
of the breeze in the palmettos
lulls me to sleep -
That's why my soul
is as pure as crystal.

This song refers to the love of the Venezuelan cowboy for his native plains (including rivers, animals, flowers and sky). It could be considered as a patriotic or regionalistic song. In contrast to the dry and lifeless American Southwest, the Venezuelan plains (llanuras) are in a rainy and almost tropical area, full of trees and life. The culture of the American cowboy and his latin counterparts (Mexican vaquero, Argentine gaucho, Venezuelan llanero and the Brasilian gaucho) share many characteristics, but there are also differences. For example, most South Americans surely don't share the Mexican and Texan fondness for hot food and good chili (Peruvians and Ecuatorians a big exception). And being a good singer and guitar player would be more important for a Colombian or Venezuelan than for a Texan; it would be helpful if you want to be a ladies' man and popular in parties. You see, not all the macho men are insensitive fools. The japanese samurais used to spend their free time practicing kanji calligraphy, bonsai and ikebana (flower arranging).