Musician Cipriano Vigil describes the myth that inspired the song "La Llorona". Read the full description.
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Piece Description
La Llorona is one of the best-known traditional songs from Latin America. It can be a cautionary song to keep children away from rushing waters. It is also interpreted as a song to warn against the treachery of marrying out of your class. In this version, Cipriano Vigil sings the story the way he learned it in his small New Mexican village.
Broadcast History
Originally broadcast August 18, 2005 on NPR's Weekend Edition.
Additional Files
- What's in a Song (VoicesWestWoodcut1.jpg)
- Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis of the Western Folkife Center (HalCannonTiki05.jpg)
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Yolette Garcia
Posted on January 28, 2006 at 06:00 PM | Permalink
Review of La Llorona
New Mexican Cipriano Vigil recounts the popular legend of La Llorona through poignant music and storytelling. La Llorona is a tragic story of a mother who drowns her children in revenge for losing her husband to another woman. Vigil's resonant voice gives emotion to the thread of regret found throughout the song. His is a northern New Mexican version, which according to his lyrics, is as fiery and delicious as green chilies. This is a beautiful rendition of cultural lore.
For an interesting pairing, you can listen to the version of La Llorona, produced by Linda Sher with writer Angela Cervantes from Kansas City. Cervantes gives a vivid account of the legend she experienced as a kid. It is pure delight.