Despierta from Arrullo by Diana Gameros

Despierta (Wake Up)

This is a love song, commonly the first song that a musical ensemble would sing during nocturnal “serenatas” (serenades: it was a tradition in Mexico, for a man to hire a mariachi or musical ensemble to sing a song for the loved one outside of her home. This song was typically the opening song that wakes her up from her dreams.

In my interpretation of this song, I have my whole family in mind, not necessarily a single loved one. I even modified the lyrics a tiny bit: the second time I sing the final line, which happens at the end of the song, I changed the pronoun, from singular to plural (not applicable when translating into English, since “you” can be used for both) so that it reads: “los quiero” (plural of “I love you”) instead of “te quiero” (singular of I love you). After that line is sung, the sounds of my family, the outdoor vendor and the dogs in the background, come up.

Since this record is part an homage to my family and traditions, I wanted to give it that approach. But didn’t want to give it away right away, so I only change the pronoun at the very end of the song.


"Her voice has a remarkable expressive range. She's at once strong and breathy - in an instant, wounded and boldly searching."
- NPR

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