Pasión
Track art by Nora Guerrero
This track is an adaptation of a traditional Costa Rican song with the same title. The original song is in 3/4, but percussionist José María Piedra rearranged it for just congas and voice and brought the adaptation to the band, who then helped him finish developing the full band version of the song. Also boasting quite a bit of diversity, this song features the original Costa Rican style in 3/4 at the beginning before morphing to bomba and also includes cumbia and salsa. The track features solos by Piedra on congas as well as trombonist Josh Nuss.
Original Lyrics
Yo te llevo en el pecho como una perlita gata,
Que adoraron los indios al nacer la luz del alba.
Te encontraron cantando en una rústica cabaña,
Pues tu padre fue un viejo trovador de la montaña.
Cuando estabas chiquilla y juguetona allá en el rancho,
Te mimaban los indios que te querían tanto, tanto.
Tus canciones nacieron en las jícaras del campo,
Y hoy vagan alegres en el orbe sacrosanto.
Zumba, que zumba marimba
en mi corazón,
aunque se rompan las teclas
que son del fino coyol.
Zumba, que zumba marimba
en mi corazón,
aunque se rompan las teclas
que son del fino coyol.
Yo te llevo en el alma virgencita soñadora.
Te abandonó tu padre cual si fueses pecadora.
Te dejó sin bautizo traicionando tu ilusión,
Y por eso te han dado el dulce nombre de 'Pasión'.
(¡Zumba, que zumba marimba!)
A ti, mi dulce pasión,
(¡Zumba, que zumba marimba!)
Te llevo en el corazón.
(¡Zumba, que zumba marimba!)
Y del altar, hasta la tumba,
(¡Zumba, que zumba marimba!)
Que zumba que zumba esta marimba.
Personnel
Braden Astorga-Rollins Vocals
Allen Mendez Trumpet
Josh Nuss Trombone
Tom Hartnett Keyboard
Jorge Brito Bass
José María Piedra Congas, Güiro, Güira
Felipe Fernández Bongó, Bell
Michael McSweeney Drum Set, Timbales
English Translation
I carry you on my chest like a resplendent pearl,
Adored by the natives at the birth of the sunrise.
They found you singing in that aged country cabin,
Well your father was an old singer from the mountain.
When you were small and playful back on the farm,
The natives spoiled you, so strong was their love.
Your songs were born in the gourds of the field,
And now wander freely across the blessed globe.
Buzz away sweet marimba,
In my heart,
Even when the plates are broken,
Made of the finest coyol.
Buzz away sweet marimba,
Oh in my heart,
Even when the plates are broken,
Made of the finest coyol.
I carry you in my soul my darling dreamer.
Your father abandoned you as if you were just a sinner.
Failing to christen you, he betrayed your ambitions,
And so they’ve given you the sweet name of 'Passion'
(Buzz away sweet marimba!)
You, my sweet Passion
(Buzz away sweet marimba!)
I carry you in my heart.
(Buzz away sweet marimba!)
And from the altar to the tomb,
(Buzz away sweet marimba!)
Let this marimba keep sounding.