The bolero is slow, sentimental music that originated in Cuba and then moved to Mexico. While in Mexico in the mid-50s, 60s and 70s the bolero was popular with trios of men who sang and played their guitars. My fave bolero is one that is called Reloj (clock).
My youngest daughter Hilary and I are going to a concert mid-November of the Mexican trio Los Panchos. I have no idea if any of the original members are in it. I will relive my nostalgia for Mexico with my daughter who was born in the Tacubaya neighbourhood of Mexico City.
Mexico City used to be called Distrito Federal by its inhabitants but now the common term is CDMX which stands for Ciudad de México.
I wish I could listen to this song in the company of my Rosemary. The lyrics apply so well to our 52 year marriage. In the end it was morning and she was gone.
Reloj – Roberto Cantoral (in English my translation)
Reloj no marques la hora
porque voy a enloquecer
ella se irá para siempre
cuando amanezca otra vez
Clock don’t strike the hour
because I will go crazy
she will leave for ever
when it’s morning again
Nomás nos queda esta noche
para vivir nuestro amor
y tu tic-tac me recuerda
mi irremediable dolor
I only have this night
to live our love
and your ticking reminds me’
of my unceasing pain
Reloj detén tu camino
porque mi vida se apaga
ella es la estrella
que alumbra mi ser
yo sin su amor no soy nada
Clock stop your journey
because my life is going out
she is the star
that shines on my being
without her love I am nothing
Detén el tiempo en tus manos
haz esta noche perpetua
para que nunca se vaya de mí
para que nunca amanezca
Stop time in your hands
make this night to never end
so it will never leave me
and so it is never morning again