05 Sep 12 - 08:56 PM (#3400614) Subject: Lyr Add: Corrido de Doña Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Corrido de Doña Elena Fué don Fernando el Francés un soldado muy valiente, que combatió a los chinacos de México independiente. 2 Vió a doña Elena en su finca y de ella se enamoró, sabiendo que su marido por un crimen se ausentó. 3 Doña Elena se hizo fuerte pero al fin correspondió; porque era un hombre terrible don Benito se perdió. 4 Noche a noche tenían citas donde gozaban su amor y entonaban sus canciones mancillando así su honor. 5 Una tarde tempestuosa don Benito fué a Jerez y en el camino esperó a don Fernando el Francés. 6 Benito, pistola en mano y un rifle de diciséis, le acerta quatro balazos a don Fernando el Francés. 7 El Francés quedó tirado muy cerca de la barranca y don Benito, iracundo, montó en su briosa potranca. 8 Se fué todo enfurecido para su pueblo natal y allá en la puerta hierro se procuró serenar. 9 -Ábreme la puerta, Elena, sin ninguna desconfianza, que soy Fernando el Francés que vengo desde la Francia. 10 -¿Quién es ese caballero que mis puertas manda abrir? No es de Fernando el acento, pues que se acaba de ir. 11 -Soy Fernando, no lo dudes, dueña de mi corazón, que regreso por decirte que nos han hecho traición. 12 -Oigame usted, don Fernando, aunque no me importe a mi, tiene usted amores en Francia o quiere a otra más que a mí. 13 -No tengo amores en Francia ni quiero a otra más a ti. Elena, soy tu marido, que vengo en contra de ti. 14 -Perdona, esposo querido, perdona mis desventuras, mira, no lo hagas por mí, hazlo por mis dos criaturas. 15 Al abrir la media puerta se les apagó el candil tomándola por las manos la arrastró para el jardin. 16 -Toma, criada, estas criaturas, llévaselas a mis padres y si preguntan de Elena, les dices que tu no sabes. 17 Vestida estaba de blanco que parecía un serafín, que se cayó entre las flores como si fuera a dormir. 18 ¡Ay! ¡!Pobrecita de Elena! ¡Ay! ¡Qué suerte le tocó! con tres tiros de pistola que su marido le dió. 19 Fué don Fernando el Francés un soldado muy valiente, que combatió a los chinacos de México independiente. Translation, reference and comment in the following post. |
06 Sep 12 - 02:21 PM (#3400921) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Doña Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Corrido de Doñ Elena Translation of version in first post. 1 Fernando the Frenchman bold, so valiant and brave was he who fought against the liberals of Mexico, land of the free. 2 At the ranch of Doña Elena he gave her his love sublime, knowing full well that her husband was gone because of a crime. 3 Doña Elena resisted but then succumbed to his will; Benito must be forsaken else Fernando would do her ill. 4 Night after night they would meet to enjoy each other's love; they raised their voices in song but were scorned by Heaven above. 5 One tempestuous afternoon Benito to Jerez did ride and there by the roadside waited 'till Don Fernando he spied. 6 Benito, with his pistol and sixteen calibre gun, fires four shots at Don Fernando as he turns and tries to run. 7 The Frenchman, mortally wounded, fell in a nearby ravine, and Benito, still enraged, to mount his swift steed was seen. 8 With his fury at its height toward his native town he stole and there by the iron door tried to calm his troubled soul. 9 "Open the door, dear Elena, without any fret or fear for I, Fernando the Frenchman from faraway France, am here." 10 "Who is that strange gentleman who comes knocking at my door? The accent can't be Fernando's since he's just been here before." 11 "It is I, your don Fernando, you must believe me, my dear. I have come back to inform you that we've been betrayed, it's clear." 12 "Listen to me, don Fernando, though it matters not, you see, you have a sweetheart in France or you love someone more than me." 13 "I have no sweetheart in France nor love I any but you. Elena, I am your husband and I tell you now, we're through." 14 "Forgive, dear husband, I beg, forgive my thoughtless mistake, if you won't do it for me, do it for our children's sake." 15 When the door was finally opened it put out the candle light, and seizing her by the hands he dragged her out into the night. 16 "Maid, to you I give my children, to my parents they will go, should they ask about Elena, you'll tell them you do not know." 17 She was dressed in a white robe and an angel seemed to be that had fallen among flowers to rest there eternally. 18 Alas! poor little Elena! Alas! how cruel was her lot! With three bullets from his pistol his wife he cruelly shot. 19 Fernando, the Frenchman bold, so valiant and brave was he, who fought against the liberals of Mexico, land of the free. Terrence L. Hansen, "Corridos in Southern California," made a poetic translation, attempting "to conserve the origin meter and rhyme." "Corrido de Doña Elena," "seems to be a modern version of the traditional ballad, "The Unfaithful Wife." The version "presented (here) seems to reflect considerable Mexican influence, it contains, nevertheless, many elements found in the Spanish romance." The version here provided by Rafael Salas, Corona, California. Brief musical score from Mendoza, "Cinquenta Corridos Mexicanos," 1939, no. 104, p. 339 (not seen; reproduced on p. 205 of this article). Terrence L. Hansen, 1959, "Corridos in Southern California," Western Folklore, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 205-207. The song is also sung in northern New Mexico-southern Colorado; a version from Chimayó, New Mexico, will be posted next. |
06 Sep 12 - 06:40 PM (#3401043) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Doña Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Lyr. Add: El Corrido de Elena New Mexico, Coll. J. D. Robb 1 Elena querida mía, y una cosa has de escuchar, unas dos o tres palabras que contigo quiero hablar. 2 Y tú, Benito, ¿Qué tienes que vienes tan enojado? Mira no te andes creyendo de cuentos que te han contado. 3 Elena, no digas eso, ni lo vuelvas a decir, que el día que encuentre a Fernando ese día van a morir 4 En ese Plan de Barrancas sin saber cómo ni cuándo, allí; fué donde encontró don Benito a don Fernando. 5 Por el honor que usted tiene [First two lines absent in MS] y el honor que usted goza, mira no te andes creyendo que ni conozco a tu esposa. 6 Del más alto firmamento yo vi bajar una estrella, mire no se ande rejando, un lunes lo hallé con ella. 7 Echó mano a su Wincheste, [mosquete in MS] calibre cincuenta y seis, [tres in MS le dió los cinco balazos a don Fernando el Francés. 8 *Le quitó le querolina [pelorina (pelerina) in MS] se puso la ropa de él y se fué para la casa a matar a la mujer. 9 Ya se agarran de la mano y se fueron para el jardín; al abrir la media puerta se les apagó el candil 10 Elena, muy asustada, se agachaba y lo miraba y don Benito tan serio, que ni siquiera la hablaba. 11 Pero, Fernando, ¿qué tienes que nunca venías así? ¿Tienes amores en Francia o quieres a otra más que a mí? 12 No tengo amores en Francia, ni quiero a otra más que a tí no soy más que te marido que me hallo al lado de ti. 13 Perdóname, esposo mío perdóname por piedad, que no soy la primer mujer que ha caído en fragilidad. 14 Perdóname, esposo mío perdona mi desventura, mira, no lo hagas por mí, hazlo por mis dos criaturas. 15 De mí no alcanzas perdón, de mí no alcanzas ventura, que te perdone al francés, que gozó de tu hermosura. 16 Ahi te encargo a mis chiquitos Se les llevas a mis padres, si te preguntan por mí, les dirás que tú no sabes. 17 A mis hermanas les dices que pongan luto por mí y a las mujeres casadas que pongan ejemplo en mí. 18 Le quitó la crinolina y la dejó en camisón, se le hincaba de rodillas, pero no alcanzó perdón. 19 Le quitó la crinolina y la dejó en camisón, le dió los cinco balazos en el mero corazón. 20 Vuela, vuela, palomita, dale fuerza a tu volido, anda a ver cómo le fué a Elena con su marido 21 Vuela, vuela, palomita, párate en aquella higuera, aquí sa acaban cantando los versitos de la Elena. TRANSLATION from MS. Elena, my dear, There is one thing you must hear, One, two or three words That I want to speak to you. 2 And you, Benito? what is wrong, That you come here so angry? Take care before you believe The tales that they have told you. 3 Elena, do not say that, Nor try to change my mind, For the day that I meet Fernando, That day you both shall die. 4 In the plain of Barranca, Without knowing when or where They should meet, Don Benito encountered Don Fernando. 5 Pardon me, Don Benito, ...................... Take care before you believe That I have wronged you with your wife. 6 From the highest firmament I saw a star falling, Take care lest you destroy The moon that is found with it. 7 Laying hands on his musket Of the calibre of thirty-three He fired the five bullets Into Don Fernando, the Frenchman. 8 *He took off his cape, [pélerine (French)] He put on Don Fernando's clothes And he returned then to his house To kill his wife. 9 But Benito, what is the matter That now you come in this manner? Do you have sweethearts in France That you love more than me? 10 I have no sweethearts in France Nor do I love anyone more than you, I am only your husband Who finds myself here beside you. 11 They took each other by the hand And went out into the garden, When she opened the middle door The candle went out. 12 Elena, very excited Stooped and regarded him And Don Benito was very grave And spoke not a word. 13 Pardon me, my husband, Pardon me for the love of God, For I am not the first wife Who has fallen in her weakness. 14 Pardon me, my husband, Pardon my misdeed. Look, I do not beg mercy for my own sake, I beg mercy for the sake of my two babies. 15 You shall have no pardon from me From me you shall get no mercy; Let the Frenchman pardon you Who rejoiced in your beauty. 16 Alas! Then I charge you with my children, That you take them to my relatives, If they ask you about me, Tell them that you know nothing. 17 Tell my sisters To go into mourning for me And tell all married women To take a lesson from me. 18 He stripped off her gown of crinoline, He stripped off her underclothes, She sank to her knees before him But no pardon she received. 19 He stripped of her gown of crinoline, He left her in her shift. He fired all five bullets Right into her heart. 20 Fly, fly, little dove, Fly with all your strength; Go and see how it was With Elena and her husband. 21 Fly, fly, little dove. Perch in that fig tree. Here concludes the singing Of the verses of Elena. Collected in Chimayó, New Mexico, from the singing of the Ortega family, 1946. The word pelerina, verse 8, comes from the French pélerine, a cape such as the Zouaves wore. Many thanks to Monique for this clarification; the verse now makes sense. Above material from the publication and also typescript MS. John Donald Robb, Hispanic Folk Songs of New Mexico, Univ. New Mexico Press, Fine Arts No. 1, pp. 44-49, with musical score; MS. online, ZIM CSWR Robb MU 7, Index number 78 [misprinted 89]. The archive contains audio, and a brief musical score. The typewriter was worn; accents added by hand, not all accurately. Verse order slightly changed in the printed copy. In the publication, Robb provided a poetic translation, which will be provided later New Mexico's Digital Collections. http://econtent.unm.edu The online material is voluminous, and is (for me) difficult to use. |
06 Sep 12 - 06:43 PM (#3401045) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Doña Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) This is an edited thread. Comments welcome, but they may be edited (with permission from the submitter). Further versions will be added, as they are found. |
07 Sep 12 - 04:05 PM (#3401427) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Dona Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Note on Verse 8, New Mexico version: pelorina (pelerina) in the MS. and querolina in the published text are words not found in Velásquez, Vox Larousse or the Diccionario of the Royal Academy of Spain. Monique provided the correct translation: pélerine is a French word for a cape, such as the Zouaves wore. The word 'pelerina' seems to be an old one, taken from or related to the French word. Robb incorrectly translated the word to mean a search Verse 19: Camisa means nightgown, shift or undergarment (a. o.); camisón can be a gown, chemise, nightdress or (modern) a sort of frock worn by laborers. The context here is nightdress or shift. |
07 Sep 12 - 05:21 PM (#3401449) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Dona Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) "Elena y el frances" on youtube; Sparx y Lorenzo Antonio Cantan Corridos. http://youtube.com/watch?v=yZhm0KFBXiM A New Mexico version on Folkways, "Spanish and Mexican Folk Music of New Mexico;" 1952 (2004). F. and C. Ortega. One other version on youtube, Hispanic woman sings the song. |
08 Sep 12 - 03:53 PM (#3401741) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Dona Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Corrido de Elena J. D. Robb, published translation 1 "Elena, dearest Elena, there's one thing that you must hear, A word or two I would tell you, a word or two for your ear." 2 And you, Benito? What is it that brings you here in such a fury? Take care before you believe any lying, slanderous story." 3 "Elena, do not dissemble, 'twill gain you nothing to try; The day I meet Don Fernando, that day shall both of you die." 4 And on the plain of Barrancas, without knowing when nor where The two should meet, Don Benito encountered Don Fernando there. 5 "By all the honor you have and the honor that gladdens your life, I beg you now to believe me, I don't even know your wife." 6 From highest heaven a-falling I saw a star in the blue; Don't try to fool me, Fernando, I saw her, Monday, with you." 7 Benito reached for his rifle, a fifty-six Winchester* gun, And five times shot he Fernando Before he could turn and run. 8 His search being ended, Benito puts on Don Fernando's clothes; To kill his wife is his purpose as back to his home he goes. 9 And hand in hand toward the garden they moved like lovers devout, But as she opened the door, then her flick'ring candle went out. 10 Elena, very excited, regarded him with attention, For Don Benito was silent and spoke not of his intention. 11 "Fernando, what is the matter? Oh, what can the trouble be? Do you have a sweetheart in France that you love more truly than me?" 12 I have no sweetheart in France, and I love no woman but you, For I am only your husband who wishes you were true." 13 "Forgive me, husband, forgive me That I have stooped from my station; I'm not the first of my sex who has fallen into temptation. 14 Forgive me, husband, forgive me, forgive me now, I implore you, If only for our two children whom I so lovingly bore you." 15 "From me you merit no pardon, to say you no is my duty; Let Don Fernando forgive you- 'twas he rejoiced in your beauty." 16 "I charge you then with my children, to take them to my relations; And if they ask you about me, just tell them some fabrications. 17 "And to my sisters give notice to put on their mourning weeds, And all young matrons to listen and learn from my wicked deeds." 18 He stripped off her outer garments but left her her own nightgown; She knelt and begged for his pardon, but his reply was a frown. 19 He stripped off her outer garments, a single white shift she wore, And into her heart five bullets from Benito's *musket tore. 20 Fly, fly, little dove, go flying go flying, my palomito, Go see how everything happened to Elena and Benito. 21 Fly, fly, little dove, to your fig tree where breezes gently are sighing, For here concludeth the tale of Elena and of her dying. *Winchester 56 is a bolt action .22 long rifle. It was introduced in 1926. Muskets are muzzle-loaded, smooth bore. Corrido de Elena, pp. 44-49, J. D. Robb, 1954, "Hispanic Songs of New Mexico, with selected songs collected, transcribed & arranged for voice and piano." Univ. New Mexico, Pub. Fine Arts No. 1, Univ. New Mexico Press. |
08 Sep 12 - 06:34 PM (#3401818) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Dona Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Corrido de Doña Elena Mexican version Fue don Fernando el Francés un soldado muy valiente que combatió a los chinacos del México independiente. 2 Se estableció en el Bajío cuando Bazaine salió y en los trabajos del campo muy pronto se enriqueció. 3 Vió a doña Elena en su finca y de ella se enamaró, sabiendo que su marido por un crimen se ausentó. 4 Doña Elena se hizo fuerte pero al fin correspondió; porque era un hombre terrible don Fernando, y se perdió. 5 Noche a noche tenían citas donde gozaban su amor y entonaban sus canciones mancillando así su honor. 6 Ya hacía tiempo que se amaban don Fernando y doña Elena, cuando a Benito avisaron los dos hermanos Barrena. 7 Una noche tempestuosa don Benito fue a Jerez y en el camino esperó a don Fernando el Francés. 8 Llegando al Plan de Barrancas, sin saber cómo ni cuándo, se encontró con don Benito el mentado don Fernando. 9 Vuela, vuela, palomita, vuela, si sabes volar, y avísale a doña Elena que ya la van a matar. 10 Benito, pistola en mano y un rifle de dieciséis, le acertó cuatro balazos a don Fernando el Francés. 11 El Francés quedó tirado muy cerca de la barranca y don Benito iracundo montó su briosa potranca. 12 Se regresó enfurecido para su pueblo natal y en la puerta de su casa se procuró serenar. 13 Abrió la verja de hierro y despacio se metió, trillandro plantas y flores hasta la puerta llegó. 14 -Ábreme la puerta, Elena que vengo todo rendido, que me persigue de cerca don Benito, tu marido. 15 Ábreme la puerta, Elena, ábreme sin desconfianza, que soy Fernando el Francés venido desde la Francia. 16 ¿Quién es ese caballero que mis puertas manda abrir? No es de Fernando el acento. pues que se acaba de ir. 17 -Soy Fernando no lo dudes, dueña de mi corazón, que regreso por decirte que nos han hecho traición. 18 Al abrir la media puerta se les apagó el candil y tomándole las manos lo arrastró para el jardín. 19 Óigame usted, don Fernando aunque no me importe a mí, ¿tiene usted amores en Francia o quiere a otra más que a mí? 20 No tengo amores en Francia ni quiero a otra más que a ti, Elena, soy tu marido que vengo en contra de ti. 21 Perdona, esposo querido perdona mis desventuras, mira, no lo hagas por mí, hazlo por mis dos criaturas. 22 -No te puedo perdonar, me tienes muy ofendido, que te perdone el Francés, don Fernando, tu querido. 23 -Toma, criada, estas criaturas se las llevas a mis padres, y si preguntan de Elena, les dices que nada sabes. 24 Hincada entre bellas flores Elena se debatía, pidiendo perdón a gritos a quien piedad no tenía. 25 ¡Ay! ¡Pobrecita de Elena! ¡Ay! ¡Qué suerte le tocó! De un rifle de *dieciséis con tres tiros completó. 26 Vestida estaba de blanco que parecía un serafín, y se cayó entre las flores como si fuera a dormir. 27 Ya terminé de cantar los versos de doña Elena que por mancillar su honor sufrió tan terrible pena, 28 A los hombres atrevidos que les serva de experiencia, y no enamoren casadas, por no manchar su conciencia. This version much more complete than those collected in southwestern United States. *M-16? The first published version was by Salvador Novo in 1929; previously, fragments were known to Enríquez Ureña. The corrido became very well-known. The inclusion of a Frenchman suggests that the corrido was written after 1870, after the reign of Maximilian (1864-1867), a Hapsburg installed with the aid of French troops. The corrido (romance) does not seem to appear in any records from before the 1920s, however, thus could be a product of the Mexican Nationalistic Period which extended from the 1920s to the 1950s. No real life incident of the type described in the corrido is known. Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo. http://www.cie.umich.mx/corridosfamosos.htm. |
08 Sep 12 - 08:44 PM (#3401862) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Dona Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) The corrido recited by Ignacio Lopez Tarso, from his album "Corridos de la revolucion." http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Los+Versos+De+Do+a+Elena/3ck890?src=5 Spoken clearly and distinctly. Several other sites online have this corrido in audio and offer downloads (Sony Discos Inc.) |
09 Sep 12 - 12:49 PM (#3402049) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Corrido de Dona Elena (Murder) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Many thanks to Monique for correcting my many typos, and help with translation! |