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Agustín Lara is one of the most recognized songwriters in Mexico. To this date, he is perhaps the best to come out of this country. He is not only known for his music, but also for his marriage to the beautiful actress María Félix, another Mexican cultural icon, who served as an inspiration for some of his most famous material. Lara’s career resulted in the creation of 700 songs, and his influence is still being felt. Modern artists frequently cover his songs and most of what he wrote is considered a classic of Mexican music.

"It’s basically impossible to think about or mention music in Mexico without Lara’s name being mentioned, so choosing only one of his songs is a difficult task."

It’s basically impossible to think about or mention music in Mexico without Lara’s name being mentioned, so choosing only one of his songs is a difficult task. But, perhaps, “Noche de ronda” is a great introduction to his work. Here, we find a song about mourning for lost love and about the unbearable sadness of waiting for its return. The word “ronda” has several meanings and uses in Spanish. The most adequate is “to visit or frequent a place,” and the closest English equivalent might be “to wander,” which opens the possibility of return. Lara mourns the parting of a woman, and most importantly, he mourns the fact that she might return but has not done so yet.

Lara finds poetic beauty in simplicity, expressing feelings without fanfare. He writes, “Luna que se quiebra sobre las tineblas de mi soledad” (Moon that breaks over the darkness of my solitude), easily setting a mood of loneliness that is vital to the overall feel of the song. He follows with, “Dile que la quiero, dile que me muero de tanto esperar” (Tell her I love her, tell her I’m dying from waiting so long), a direct and raw expression of his feelings that becomes a sad yet beautiful ballad.

"Lara mourns the parting of a woman, and most importantly, he mourns the fact that she might return but has not done so yet."

As mentioned before, trying to choose one song that perfectly represents the man’s career and influence is not easy. For me, “Noche de ronda” is a great way to get to know his style and the world of the Mexican ballad.