Hispanic Folk Music of New Mexico and the Southwest: A Self-Portrait of a People

Section K: Courtship and Marriage

K. COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE The most frequently encountered songs on the subject of courtship and marriage are the entregas de novios, or delivery of the newlyweds . Ruben Cobos has described other wedding songs, including despedidas and some songs relating to baptism (Cobos 4, 10/20/ 49). K4 is one of these. This much may be said about the entrega de novios. In the Spanish villages of New Mexico the wedding is followed by a dance. After the dance is over, the bridegroom, bride, parents, and other relatives of the newly married couple go to the home of the bride or to the couple's new home. They are preceded by "the music," consisting usually of a fiddle and a guitar. At the entrance the bride is delivered to her parents-in-law and the groom to his. The actual entrega is sung by the godfather or, if he does not know the verses, by the local poeta. These verses have a very tender meaning for the young couple, signifying the inception of the marriage, pointing out its responsibilities and joys. I am told that the young brides particularly sometimes ask to hear it sung on other occasions . The words and the melodies differ in the different villages. One old musician told me that "any old waltz will do for the entrega ." Alex Chavez has recorded charming music of the casorios (weddings) of the San Luis Valley, Colorado (RB972ff.). Kl. Entrega de Novios (Delivery of the Newlyweds) R431, Felix Ortega, Chimayo, N.Mex., 1951, Robb. See Appendix A. 1 Es un ser infinito y mas un ser verdadero, pues el mismo Jesucristo nos lo ha dado a entender. 2 Estando el mundo formado . . . [undecipherable] con el nombre de Adan, el mismo que el verdadero. 3 Ya volvieron de sus suenos con una voz admirable; te recibo por esposa para obedecer al Padre. 4 Le hizo que Adan se durmiera en un hermoso vergel y le dio una companera que se estuviera con el. 1 It is an infinite being And also a true being, Because Jesus Christ himself Has made us understand it. 2 The world being already formed With the name of Adam, The same as the true one. 3 They came back from their dreams With an admirable voice; I receive you as my wife In order to obey the Father. 4 Now he made Adam go to sleep In a beautiful garden And gave him a companion That should always be with him. 567 . . . SECULAR SONG TEXTS AND MELODIES 5 For ser hueso de mi hueso, por ser carne de mi carne, te recibo por esposa para obedecer al Padre. 6 Ya de la iglesia salieron con muchisima alegria; ya quedaron esposados como San Jose y Maria. 7 Piensan los malos casados, piensan a Dios engafiar; ellos son los enganados; no se vayan a equivocar. 8 Atiendame, el esposado, lo que le voy a mentar; ya no hay padre, ya no hay madre, ahora lo que hay es mujer. 5 To be bone of my bone, To be flesh of my flesh, I receive you as my wife In order to obey the Father. 6 They came out from the church With the greatestjoy; Already married Like Joseph and Mary. 7 Bad spouses think That they can cheat God; They are the ones that are cheated; Do not be mistaken. 8 Hear, o groom, What I am going to say; Now you have no father, you have no mother, What you have now is a wife. 9 Atiendame la esposada, de amor muestre su carino; ya no hay padre y no hay madre ahora lo que hay es marido. 10 Los padrinos de estos novios ya saben su obligacion: de entregar a sus ahijados y echarles la bendicion. 11 Los padres de estos novios que ha de aumentar su carino, ya aqui estan sus dos hijos siguiendoles por el camino. 9 Hear me, o bride, And show your love; Now you have no father, you have no mother, What you have now is a husband. 10 The godparents of these newlyweds Know their duty: To give away their children And give them their blessing. 11 The parents of these newlyweds Must increase their love, Here are your two children Following in your path. 568 COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE K2. Entrega de Novios R327, Elfego Sanchez, age 63, Tijeras, N.Mex., 1950, Robb. Cf. Cobos 4 (10/20...