Xah Lee, 2006-03
Fernado is a extremely beautiful song by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson, of ABBA, 1976. Here is the lyrics.
Can you hear the drums, Fernando? I remember long ago another starry night like this In the firelight, Fernando You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar I could hear the distant drums And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar They were closer now, Fernando Every hour every minute seemed to last eternally I was so afraid, Fernando We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die And I'm not ashamed to say The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry There was something in the air that night The stars were bright, Fernando They were shining there for you and me For liberty, Fernando Though I never thought that we could lose There's no regret If I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando Now we're old and grey, Fernando And since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand Can you hear the drums, Fernando? Do you still recall the fateful night we crossed the Rio Grande? I can see it in your eyes How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land There was something in the air that night The stars were bright, Fernando They were shining there for you and me For liberty, Fernando Though I never thought that we could lose There's no regret If I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando There was something in the air that night The stars were bright, Fernando They were shining there for you and me For liberty, Fernando Though I never thought that we could lose There's no regret If I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando Yes, if I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando...
The song describes a couple, in the eve of a war, under a serene starry night. They are afraid, of the bloodshed and death, the destruction of love. But they have no regret of their choices, for liberty. According to Wikipedia:
«The song appears to be set in the context of Mexican Revolution of 1910 , with the singer taking the part of one of the rebels crossing the Rio Grande to fight the Federal troops.»
For more info about this song, see: Fernando↗ and also Mexican Revolution of 1910↗.
Although i love this song so much, and the song is serene and filled with compassion, but i'm not sure i can endorse this song. Because, songs for war, even if its singing about defending freedom or liberty, are questionable, because, one's view of freedom is another's treason.
Look at USA today, with its obsession of freedom and justice, are massacre people in the mideast in the tens of thousands.
YouTube search: Fernando,ABBA↗
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Page created: 2006-03. © 2006 by Xah Lee. (excluding mirrored pages or images.)