Last modified: 2008-12-26 by eugene ipavec
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Folklore music in Spain has a number of examples [of flag-related songs], probably the most notable being a "pasodoble" titled "La Banderita" ("The Little(*) Flag") by Francisco Alonso, part of the score of a 1919 vaudeville titled "Las Corsarias." Lyrics below, alongside my translation:
| Allá por la tierra mora allá por tierra africana un soldadito español de esta manera cantaba: Como el vino de Jerez y el vinillo de Rioja son los colores que tiene la banderita española la banderita española Cuando estoy en tierra extraña y contemplo tus colores y me acuerdo de mi España mira si yo te querré. Como el vino de Jerez y el vinillo de Rioja son los colores que tiene la banderita española la banderita española. Banderita tu eres roja banderita tu eres gualda llevas sangre llevas oro en el fondo de tu alma. El día que yo me muera si estoy lejos de mi Patria sólo quiero que me cubran con la Bandera de España Banderita tu eres roja banderita tu eres gualda llevas sangre llevas oro en el fondo de tu alma. El día que yo me muera si estoy lejos de mi Patria sólo quiero que me cubran con la Bandera de España. |
In Moorish land in African land a poor Spanish soldier sung thus: Like Sherry wine and the dear Rioja wine are the colours of the Spanish flag the Spanish flag. When I am in foreign land and watch your colours I remember my Spain that much I love you. Like Sherry wine and Rioja wine are the colours of the Spanish flag the Spanish flag. Oh, dear flag, you are red Oh, dear flag, you are golden you bear blood you bear gold deep in your soul. If the day I shall die I am far away from my Fatherland my only will is to be covered with the Flag of Spain. Oh, dear flag, you are red Oh, dear flag, you are golden you bear blood you bear gold deep in your soul. If the day I shall die I am far away from my Fatherland my only will is to be covered with the Flag of Spain. |
(*) Spanish diminutive suffixes ("-ito" and "-ita") are very frequently (as in this case) used to convey a sense of affection or pity for the substantive to which they are applied, rather than a sense of reduced size. So in this context "banderita" is better translated as "dear flag" than as "little flag" -- which would be more appropriate however if a report speaks about people waving "banderitas" in the streets.
Santiago Dotor, 07 May 2003