On January 10, the San Luis Potosí City Council will commemorate the 80th anniversary of “Acuarela Potosina,” a song that, more than that, is considered a symbol of identity and even the state’s anthem.
Although it has been performed by a wide variety of artists, the most remembered version is that of Jorge Negrete, so for this celebration the interpretation will be in charge of Rafael Negrete, grandson of the icon of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema, in addition to the Philharmonic Orchestra “Philarmonia San Luis,” Mariachi México Trovador, Mariachi Carrillo and Mariachi San Miguelito.
Although the melody of this anthem has a festive atmosphere and highlights the pride of being from San Luis Potosí, the history of Acuarela Potosina has its own origins from the era of the cacique in the state.
According to data from the Potosino Institute of Fine Arts (IPBA), Governor Gonzalo N. Santos (1943-1949) asked composer Pepe Guízar to write a song dedicated to the state of Potosí.
However, Guízar refused to comply with the request of the governor of Potosí, so he had him arrested and ordered that he be locked up in a hacienda in the Huasteca, so that he would write the song “the hard way.”
The full lyrics of Acuarela Potosina
Acuarela Potosina refers to some of the characteristics and notable sites of San Luis Potosí, such as the San Miguelito neighborhood, the Huasteca potosina and its border with 9 states of the republic, although the song mentions 10 due to the proximity to Aguascalientes:
I am from San Luis Potosí
San Miguelito is my neighborhood
I am from the center of Mexico
I am, by God, a lonely heart
I am from San Luis Potosí
The cactus drew all over
Where, little brother?
Where the eagle stopped
And drew its image
On the tricolor canvas
Neighbor of ten states
Of Nuevo Leon and Queretaro and sovereign Jalisco
Of the joyful Aguascalientes
Of the joyful Aguascalientes
Which is famous for its threadwork
To its San Marcos Fair
I go happily to its San Marcos Fair year after year
A good friend is Guanajuato
A good friend is Guanajuato, colonial and great soldier
Ay la-ra-ra, ay la-ra-ra (ah)
Neighbor of Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Zacatecas
Like Hidalgo and Veracruz, San Luis has its Huastecas
And that is why I say with pride, my friend!
I am from San Luis Potosí
The cactus drew all over
Where, bro?
Where the eagle stopped
And drew its image on the tricolor canvas
I am from San Luis Potosí
From San Luis Potosí
Source: oem
