Randomness: How to Woo with Mariachi

When my brother got married this summer, one of the things they had at the reception was a Mariachi band. (Let me just say here it was freakin' amazing) They played several songs, but the only one I recognized was the song from Desperado - which they apparently played at my brother's request. (Smooth, Dean! *wink*)

While we were listening, one of my brother's friends from Columbia, "M", told us the story of the Mariachi. It's very interesting to me because of one big culture difference with Americans - for a successful woo-ing by Mariachi, you must be drunk. Here's what he told us:

When a man loves a woman, and wants to secure her hand, he must woo her. He waits until nightfall, gets drunk, and heads out to hire a mariachi band - which is very expensive. Then he must go back to her home, still drunk, and the mariachi will play while he serenades her. He's got to be drunk though, because tradition dictates that if you are drunk, your true feelings come out; if you're sober you could be faking it!

I think there was something in his story about walking a long distance, but that part is fuzzy to me. Anyway, it sounds so romantic (as long as you want to be serenaded by the person at your window, lol) and sweet. I really enjoyed the mariachi band at my brother's wedding; the music is wonderful!

For your enjoyment:


Canción Del Mariachi (Morena De Mi Corazon)* - (Song Of The Mariachi)

*I translated via Google translate (in parenthesis)

Soy un hombre muy honrado, (I am a good man)
que me gusta lo mejor, (I like the best,)
a mujeres no me faltan ni el dinero ni el amor. (women not missing me or the money or the love.)
jinetiendo en mi caballo, (rider on my horse)
por la sierra yo me voy, (by the mountains I go,)
las estrellas y la luna ellas me dicen donde voy. (the stars and the moon, they tell me where to go.)

Ay ay ay ay,
ay ay mi amor, (oh oh my love,)
ay mi morena
de mi corazòn. (my heart.)

Me gusta tocar guitarra, (I like playing guitar,)
me gusta cantar el son, (I like to sing are)
el mariachi me acompaña, (mariachi with me,)
cuando canto mi canciòn. (when I sing my song.)

Me gusta tomar mis copas, (I like to take my drinks,)
aguardientes lo mejor, (best spirits,)
tambien el tequila blanco con su sal de su sabor. (also the white tequila with salt taste.)

Ay ay ay ay,
ay ay mi amor,
ay mi morena
de mi corazòn.

Me gusta tocar guitarra, (I like playing guitar,)
me gusta cantar el sol, (I like to sing the sun,)
el mariachi me acompaña, (mariachi with me,)
cuando canto mi canciòn. (when I sing my song.)

Me gusta tomar mis copas, (I like to take my drinks,)
aguardientes lo mejor, (best spirits,)
tambien el tequila blanco con su sal de su sabor. (also the white tequila with salt taste.)

Ay ay ay ay,
ay ay mi amor,
ay mi morena
de mi corazòn.

Ay ay ay ay,
ay ay mi amor,
ay mi morena
de mi corazòn.