(Click on titles for lyrics/audio)
Alicia 5’35”
Lilia 4’05”
Raquel 5’01”
Maria 4’32”
(Recording: Sandra Bengochea, soprano; Henry Mollicone, piano)
Four stories of immigrant women
for soprano solo with piano accompaniment
Poems by Maria Marroquin
Level: medium, 19’13”
Purchase Score
Program Notes:
These songs were composed for a benefit event held by DAY WORKERS OF MOUNTAIN VIEW, a strong organization that serves immigrants in Northern California. Having visited their offices, I was very impressed with the range of programs they provide for immigrants, and the personal commitment of their director, Maria Marroquin.
Maria interviewed four women, and transcribed their true stories into poems which I have set to music. The stories have a common tread that suggests the difficulties and painful experiences of immigration in our society. It is our hope that the stories of these brave women help to raise awareness of this important issue.
—Henry Mollicone
Alicia
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| Tonatico, mi dulce pueblo donde nací, De una familia grande como mis anhelos. Tonatico, la cuna de mis sueños, Mi familia, lo mejor de mis recuerdos.Mi niñez huyó espantada por el hambre. La adolescencia me vistió de responsabilidades. La vida me cubrió de deberes grises, Y tristes despertares de continuo.Llegó el amor a Tonatico, ese amor que aun me mantiene viva, Ese amor que me hizo desafiar todo peligro, Ese amor que me inspiró a perseguir nuevas estrellas, Y me trajo hasta aquí Y me hizo madre. Tonatico, Tonatico Nuestros hijos son Ella quiere ser doctora, |
Tonatico, my sweet hometown, where I was born to a family as large as my longings. Tonatico, the cradle of my dreams, My family, the best of my memories.My childhood fled, scared off by hunger. Adolescence burdened me with responsibilities. Life covered me with gray, drab duties and continuous sad awakenings.Love arrived at Tonatico, this love that keeps me living, This love that made me challenge all danger, This love that inspired me to pursue new stars, And brought me here, making me a mother. Tonatico, Tonatico, Our children are She wants to be a doctor, |
Lilia
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| Catorce huérfanos dejó mi padre al morir. Fue muy duro, fue muy triste En la semana la escuela; Sábados y domingos Trabajar para comer.Me enamoré y me entregué. Fui feliz por poco tiempo. En mi vientre el amor germinó.Buscando una mejor vida Para esa vida en mi vientre, Al país del norte huí. Sin a mi madre adiós decir. Mi niña nació, pensé Tres años duró mi dicha. Mi niña lo ama, Debes volver Total, irse o quedarse, |
Fourteen orphans remained after father passed away. It was very hard, it was very sad In school during weekdays; Saturdays and Sundays we worked for food.I fell in love and gave myself away. I was happy for a while. In my womb our love blossomed.Looking for a better future for the life I carried inside, I came to this land. I left my mom without a goodbye. My daughter was born My happiness lasted three years. My daughter loves him, You should return After all, to stay or to leave, |
Raquel
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| Veinte años y madre de cinco. Veinte años y lo único más grande Que mi pena y mi miedo Era mi responsabilidad de mantenerlos.Abusada de continuo por el cobarde, Agobiada por el hambre y por el peso del dolor, Decidí al norte venir.Conociendo lo difícil del viaje, que con niños cuesta más. A ganar dinero voy, por ellos mandaré cuando Dios me lo permita. Y llorando, dije adiós. El cruce de la frontera En fin, limpiando casas, Pandillas, alcohol y drogas Si me quedo, no es |
Twenty years old and mother of five. Twenty years old and the only thing bigger Than my sadness and my fear Was my responsibility to feed them.Abused continuously by the coward, I was hungry and depressed all the time. I decided to come to the north.But I knew the risk of this trip was even riskier with kids. I’m going to make money and I’ll send for them when God wills. Crying, I said goodbye. Crossing the border Finally, cleaning houses, Gangs, alcohol and drugs If I stay, my future is |
Maria
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| Cuando dejé Oaxaca, Una parte de mi se quedó allá – La que me da energía Por la que sueño alegrías,La que me mantiene viva, La que me detiene aquí, La que me conserva enhiesta. A pesar de tanta soledad y tristeza –Mi hijo, mi niño amado, mío solo mío, Al que dejé en mi Oaxaca por amarlo tanto así. Lo dejé para labrarle una vida con mis sueños, Construirle un futuro con mis manos. Lo repito y lo repito hasta Pido a Dios que me ilumine Pido a Dios que una frontera Pido que se haga presente |
When I left Oaxaca, A part of me stayed there – The part that gives me energy For dreaming happy dreams,The part that holds my life together, The part that keeps me here, The part that keeps me upright Through so much loneliness and grief –My child, my beloved son, mine alone, Whom I left in Oaxaca because I love him so. left to give him a life as in my dreams, To build him a future with my hands. I repeat it and repeat it I ask the Lord to enlighten me I ask the Lord that the border I ask for His presence |