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Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's

05 Jul 00 - 12:58 PM (#252251)
Subject: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: Barbara Shaw

I'm looking for the melody - any format - for this folk song about Emilio Carranza, the son of Mexican president Carranza. He was a pilot who flew from Mexico to NY, but died on the return flight when his plane was hit by lightning. It was a popular ballad in the Southwest U.S. around the early 1900's, and I'm told my grandfather used to sing it, accompanied by his guitar and his brother on banjo. I have the lyrics, but would like to hear the melody.


05 Jul 00 - 01:52 PM (#252279)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: M. Ted (inactive)

Carranza crashed in the New Jersey Pine Barrens on July 12th, and every year, there is I ceremony on the spot, which is in the Wharton State Forest, near Tabernacle, New Jersey. This year, the Memorial is on July 8, at 1pm, I believe that his is the number to call for more information--609-567-5907.

One of my guitar students from long ago, grew up near there, and told me that, at least at one time, the ceremony, which centers on the laying of a wreath, included music and singing, and was a very important activity for the Mexican-Americans in the area.

I am told that the event is sponsored by the Mt. Holly American Legion, and is chaired by a fellow named Bill Nee. The number above is probably his (I got it from Wharton State Forest Information). I understand that it is coordinated with some activities in Mexico--so, if he doesn't have information on the song, he can probably put you in touch with someone who does--They still love to sing and play music in Mexico--

Anyway, good luck, and please, if you get any information off line, post it here--


05 Jul 00 - 02:36 PM (#252305)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: Joe Offer

Hi, Barbara - I found some sites with corridos and added an especially good one to our links page, but haven't found your song yet. Can you post the lyrics for us?
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-


05 Jul 00 - 05:45 PM (#252432)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: M. Ted (inactive)

Forget the phone number--no one there knows anything about this--for some weird reasons of my own, I am engaged on this, so I will keep looking--Thanks for the corridos sites, Joe, but since you didn't post it here, I will havae to go looking for it--


05 Jul 00 - 05:56 PM (#252441)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: Joe Offer

OK, Ted, I get the hing - http://www.utep.edu/mecha/mestacorr.html is the Corridos site I found. I also came across an entertaining comment from a woman, who complained that her boyfriend sang only corridos, and she was sick of politics and wanted love songs.
But I'm interested in this particular song - hope somebody can post the lyrics.
-Joe Offer-


05 Jul 00 - 09:38 PM (#252572)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: Barbara Shaw

Joe, I got the lyrics from a site you had posted in an earlier thread, but the site no longer exists. Fortunately, I saved them and sent them to my aunt in California, who sent back the English translation.

Aviador Carranza
Este es el corrido de Emilio Carranza
que murió volando tras una esperanza:
volver a su patria cubierto de gloria
para que su nombre quedara en la historia.

(Estribillo)
Carranza, Carranza, tu pueblo te llora,
tu trágica muerte tu patria deplora.

Solo hacía dos años que era aviador
y era renombrado por su gran valor;
voló de San Diego a la Capital
sobre montañas y un temporal,

Carranza, Carranza, tu pueblo te llora,
tu trágica muerte tu patria deplora.

Llegó sano y salvo entre una ovación,
descendió en Balbuena con gran precisión,
y el águila altiva llevó a Nueva York,
un ramo de oliva, de paz y valor.

Carranza, Carranza, tu pueblo te llora,
tu trágica muerte tu patria deplora.

La Imperial Ciudad en gran recepción,
triunfal y contenta, rindió admiración;
un gran homenaje rindió el pueblo hermano
como premio al viaje del As mexicano.

Carranza, Carranza, tu pueblo te llora,
tu trágica muerte tu patria deplora.

Volando en misión de buena voluntad
dió su corazón a la humanidad;
pero en el regreso, cuando emprendió el vuelo,
un rayo del héroe tuvo quizá celo.

Carranza, Carranza, tu pueblo te llora,
tu trágica muerte tu patria deplora.

Pero si la suerte un día le falló,
el valor en cambio nunca le faltó,
por eso su vida valiente y sincera
en rayos fundida rindió su carrera.

Carranza, Carranza, tu pueblo te llora,
tu trágica muerte tu patria deplora.


Aviator Carranza

This is the ballad of Emilio Carranza
Who died flying after a dream
To return to his country covered with glory
So that his name would go down in history.

(Refrain)
Carranza, Carranza, your town mourns you
Your tragic death your country deplores.

Only two years had he been an aviator
And was renowned for his bravery
He flew from San Diego to the Capitol
Over mountains and through a storm.

He arrived safe and sound to an ovation
Landed at Balbuena with great skill
The high-flying eagle took to New York
An olive branch of peace and valor.

The imperial city at a grand reception
Triumphant and happy rendered admiration
The brother city paid great homage
As a reward for the flight of the Mexican ace.

Flying on a mission of good will
He gave his heart to humanity
But on his return at the start of the flight
A bolt of lightning perhaps became jealous.

But if fortune one day failed him
His courage never did
That's why his life, honest and brave
In lightning bolts ended his career.


06 Jul 00 - 12:23 AM (#252671)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: M. Ted (inactive)

Thanks, Joe. Now all we need is a site with MIDI files of the melody!!(You can't keep me happy for more than a minute--I know)

I have been doing some promotional writing for an organization that will be having a convention in Philly (NO!!Not the Republicans!!) So everything and anything from the area rings a bell for me, and this has got me thinking about Carranza and aviation.

Interesting that so many aviation events, good and bad happened over New Jersey--Lindburgh, The Hindenburg Disaster, the Carranza crash, and even the first manned flight, in 1793, by Jean-Pierre Blanchard, which went from Philadelphia to Woodley, NJ, not really very far from where Carranza crashed.


09 May 05 - 01:18 PM (#1480858)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

M Ted, or anyone else that is interested- I have music to "Del Aviador Carranza," and will send it to Joe if someone asks for it.

The Spanish text as posted by Barbara Shaw is correct.

Lyrics and music in Vicente T. Mendoza, 1985, "Corridos Mexicanos," Lecturas mexicanas no. 71, pp. 182-183.


09 May 05 - 05:22 PM (#1481073)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: Barbara Shaw

I'm still interested in hearing this song. Is there a way to post the notation on Mudcat somewhere? Or is there a midi or mp3 site where I can hear it?


09 May 05 - 05:47 PM (#1481087)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Joe has kindly converted music I have sent him into midis. I will send the music to him, and perhaps maybe there is a chance he will do it for you and post the midi.


10 May 05 - 05:47 PM (#1481962)
Subject: RE: Aviador Carranza - Corrido from 1900's
From: GUEST,ranger steve at work

i'm interested in the melody, too.

by the way, the Carranza Memorial is worth visiting, especially now while it's still there. The weather hasn't been kind and recently, vandals have discovered it. It's one of the most peaceful places I've ever visited.