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

Section S: Himno

S. Himno The himno is the familiar country hymn as sung in the village churches. In contrast to the unmeasured and melismatic music of the alabados, it is syllabic (with one syllable per note) and measured in duple or triple meter or mixtures of the two. It is simple, singable music and includes a high proportion of beautiful melodies. It is music of the church rather than of the morada. Some of the himnos are included in various editions of Ralliere's Canticos Espirituales under such headings as "aire nacional," apparently to indicate that the source was local folk music and to distinguish them from hymns derived from other hymnals (Ralliere a-d). Some of the himnos are known in Latin American countries. I heard one of these, Bendito Sea Dios (S2), sung in El Salvador in Central America in 1962. For purposes of comparison I have included a hymn —Viva Cristo Rey (Sll)—sung by the Caballeros de Cristo Rey (Horsemen of Christ the King) of El Salvador which I recorded there in 1962. Other himnos could be included here, including many in the various editions of Ralliere and others from my collection that, for various reasons (the chief one being the undecipherability of the recordings), have been omitted. The following constitute a representative collection. Si. O Jesus, O Buen Pastor (O Jesus, O Good Shepherd) R5, Prospero S. Baca, age 69, Bernalillo, N.Mex., 1944, Robb. 1 O Jesus, o Buen Pastor, dueno de mi vida, ven a mi con santo amor dulce Redentor. 1 O Jesus, O good shepherd, Guardian of my life, Come to me with holy love, Sweet Savior. 2 Eres tierno padre, Tu el buen pastor eres verbo eterno, nuestro Salvador. 2 Thou art a tender father, Thou, good shepherd, Art the eternal word, Savior of mankind. 3 Una santa llama en la comunion por tu amor se inflama en mi corazon. 3 During the communion A holy flame Of love for thee burns Within my heart. 4 Con amor te imploro, Dios de majestad; en silencio adoro tu Divinidad. 4 Lovingly I pray to thee, God of majesty; Silently I adore Thy Divinity. 690 Himno 5 O Jesus de mi alma, fuente de dulzor, quiero en santa calma meditar tu amor. 6 Yo en ti espero aumentar mi fe; con amor sincero te recibire. 5 0 Jesus of my soul, Fountain of sweetness, In holy calm I desire To contemplate thy love. 6 In thee I hope To increase my faith; With true love 1 will receive thee. 7 O Divino Amante, venme a visitar, ven en este instante mi alma a consolar. 8 Madre, acompane, oye, por favor, que Jesus reciba siempre con fervor. 7 O Divine Lover, Come and visit me, Come this very moment To comfort my soul. 8 Mother, stay with us, Hear us, please, That Jesus may receive us Always fervently. 9 Hijo ingrato he sido dulce Redentor, mas ya arrepentido heme aqui, Senor. 9 I have been a faithless son, Sweet Redeemer, But now I have repented, I am here, Lord. 691 RELIGIOUS SONG TEXTS AND MELODIES 52. IBendito Sea Diosl (Blessed Be God!) R38, Prospero S. Baca, age 67, Bernalillo, N.Mex., 1942, Robb. Cf. R1034, R1043, R1073. See also Appendix A. 1 iBendito, bendito, bendito sea Dios! Los angeles cantan y alaban a Dios. 1 Blessed, blessed, Blessed be God! ] The angels sing ] Bis And praise the Lord. 2 Yo creo Dios mio que estas en el altar, oculto en la hostia. Te vengo a adorar. 2 I believe, my God, That you are in the altar, ] Hidden in the host. ] Bis I come to adore you. 3 Adoro la hostia, el cuerpo de Jesus, su sangre preciosa que dio por mi en la cruz. 3 I adore the host, The body of Jesus, ] His precious blood ] Bis Which he gave for me on the cross. 4 Jesus de mi alma, te doy mi corazon. En cambio te pido tu santa bendicion. 4 Jesus of my soul, I give you my heart. ] In exchange I beg you ] Bis That you give me your blessing. 5 En este santuario te dejo y me voy. Adios, Jesus mio, adios, adios, adios. 5 In this sanctuary I leave you and I go. ] Good-bye, my Jesus, ] Bis Good-bye, good-bye, good-bye. The melody of this hymn was arranged for orchestra and chorus and employed...