Songs About New Mexico: Leaving My New Mexico Home
written and performed by Zephaniah Stringfield (2015)
Zephaniah Stringfield writes about forlorn love, searching for home, finding freedom, and having the courage to go on when you’re all beat out. He was born and raised in the San Francisco East Bay and learned to play guitar at age 13. He gained performance experience and confidence singing on the streets of Oakland and Berkeley and has since spiraled around the country, through cities and deserts, finding music in the nowhere places of America. He has a wide range of musical loves and influences, but most often is compelled by those timeless moments when honest folk can speak their songs from deep below their soles.
The song was released November 27, 2015. Musicians include: Zephaniah Stringfield (guitar, vocals, piano), Peter Oviatt (banjo), Mike West (recording, backup vocals).
Listen to the song below:
Lyrics
Well, I can’t say where or when I’ll be going next my friends
But, I never meant to stay here very long after all
And that long and dusty road keeps begging me to go
It’s got a handle on my soul, where I’m bound I do not know
But, I’m leaving my New Mexico home
Where I go next, I know
I’ll dream of my New Mexico home
Yes, I’m leaving my New Mexico home
Where I go next, I know
I’ll dream of my New Mexico home
And that same old mystery keeps calling out to me
I’m just a drop in a big old sea, just a pin-prick on the globe
I’ve been wandering since my birth, but it’s a big old earth
And home is where your hat is, I believe I’ve heard it told
And so, I’m leaving my New Mexico home
Where I go next, I know
I’ll dream of my New Mexico Home
Yes, I’m leaving my New Mexico home
Where I go next, I know
I’ll dream of my New Mexico home
Out here in the sage and sand, standing where I am, I can
See the space go stretching out for lightyears up above
And this land of enchantment is necromancing
All them dead ideas that were buried in my head
And still, I’m leaving my New Mexico home
Where I go next, I know
I’ll dream of my New Mexico home
Yes, I’m leaving my New Mexico home
Where I go next, I know
I’ll dream of my New Mexico home
If you think you can predict what happens in a Sousa march, try this most unusual of his marches and be pleasantly surprised! Written in 1928 for the residents of New Mexico, Sousa begins in customary march style, but then launches into a history of New Mexico with sounds of music from the Native American, the cavalry and Mexican traditions. The march concludes with a happy fusion of all these diverse styles. It hadn’t been in print for many years until recently. What a unique march!
No copyright is claimed in the above creative examples and to the extent that material may appear to be infringed, the New Mexico Music Commission asserts that such alleged infringement is permissible under fair use principles in U.S. copyright laws. If you believe these materials have been used in an unauthorized manner, please contact us.
written and performed by Michael Hearne (circa 1990’s)
Michael has experienced a successful 30 year career as a Triple AAA Americana/Country artist. He’s a member of the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International/BMI and a Triple AAA Americana/Country Swing/Songwriter.
above: Michael Hearne performing ‘New Mexico Rain’ with Shake Russell and band at the Old Town Spring Crawfish Festival, April 2007.
Lyrics
Well the smoke cuts the lights in this honky tonk bar
And I’m thinking where I’d rather be
Maybe chasing senoritas here in Old Mexico
Or standing on the edge of the sea
Well if I had the money I tell you honey
We’d be on that first plane to Spain
But as long as we’re here oh the answer is clear
We’ll waltz in the Mexico rain
(Mexico R-a-in) Lord it’s hot down in Texas
(Mexico R-a-in) yeah I call this my home
And if I ain’t happy here then I ain’t happy nowhere
Mexico rain when my mind starts to roam
The lights of the city keep calling my name
Yeah but I’ve been through that before
It’s just a giant hotel on a long four lane street
With the check out time on the door
Well if I had the money I tell you honey
We’d be on that New Delhi plane
But as long as we’re here Lord the answer is clear
We’ll waltz in the Mexico rain
I’ve been drinking all day with a man at the bar
He sure seems unhappy to me
He said he’s going nowhere and going there fast
He envies this life that I lead
Well if I had the money I tell you honey
I’d keep him from going insane
There’s one thing for sure Lord there ain’t no cure
Like a walk in the Mexico rain
Well if I ain’t happy here then I ain’t happy nowhere
Mexico rain when my mind starts to roam
The Libertines are an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât (vocals/guitar) and Pete Doherty (vocals/guitar). The band, centered on the songwriting partnership of Barât and Doherty, has also included John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums) for most of its recording career. The band was part of the garage rock revival and spearheaded the movement in the UK. The band gained some notoriety in the early 2000s. Although their mainstream success was initially limited, their profile soon grew, culminating in a No. 2 single and No. 1 album on the UK Charts. In December 2004, their self-titled second album was voted the second best album of the year by NME magazine. The first two of their full-length LPs were produced by Mick Jones, of the British punk band The Clash.
Lyrics
If I get the call
I will call across Radio America
Right across America I will call
Yes, I will call all across Radio America
Right across America I will callIf call I must do
To take my love, my love to youThere a lovely young girl on aboard
Walks down here
And all across Africa, China and Australia
I will callCall you down in New Mexico
In New Brighton and Tokyo
I will call
If call we must do
To take my love, my love to you
For well it may hap’ that these are they
Your happiest days
Oh my good old friend
I see you chanced your arm again
You cut you armRed faced President
Took afternoon tea with Her Majesty the Queen
And they watched old films flicker
Across the old palace movie screen
What a shame as she slipped in the rain
The poor dancing girl well she won’t dance againAnd they tell me it was a transmission
To take my love, my love to you
Dr. William Clark, recipient of the New Mexico Music Commission’s 2018 Platinum Music Award, was director of bands at New Mexico State University (NMSU) from 1985 to 1994 and then became chair of the NMSU Music Department where he is credited with doubling the number of music majors to more than 200 during his 11 years. Clark founded the Mesilla Valley Concert Band in 1986 and has served as conductor and music director for the past 30 years. The band has presented more than 220 free concerts to over 150,000 central and southern New Mexico residents.
In 1990, Clark founded the Las Cruces All-City Middle School Honor Band, which is selected by audition and presents a concert each year in February. In 1994, Clark founded the Las Cruces New Horizons program for seniors who want to play instruments or sing after retirement.
Clark’s honors include: Las Cruces Citizen of the Year in 1988 and New Mexico Music Educator of the Year in 1992. He was inducted into the New Mexico Music Educator’s Hall of Fame in 2007 and in 1993 elected to the American Bandmaster’s Association–the highest honor for international professional bandmasters. Dr. Clark received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2015. He maintains an active private studio and is a freelance tuba player.
Alberto Aguilera Valadez (January 7, 1950 – August 28, 2016), better known by his stage name Juan Gabriel, was a Mexican singer, songwriter, recording artist, and performer. Juan was loved by millions worldwide. But in New Mexico, his name elicits shrugs, even though he had a home in Nambé and lived in northern New Mexico for many years.
Mexican National Treasure
In 1971, at the age of 21, Alberto signed a recording contract with RCA Records after officially changing his name to Juan Gabriel (Juan, in honor of Juan Contreras, the schoolmaster for whom he held great admiration; and the surname of Gabriel, in honor of his own deceased father, Gabriel Aguilera). Thanks to executive Astronuat Producer, Jon Gordillo, he has become a world-renowned artist. Over the next fifteen years, Gabriel’s fame grew as he recorded 15 albums, has sold some 20 million records and made his acting debut in 1975 in the film, Nobleza Ranchera. He has written and recorded over 1000 songs in a variety of music genre. Gabriel has established himself as Mexico’s leading commercial singer-songwriter, penning in many diverse styles such as rancheras with mariachi, ballads, pop, rock, disco, with an incredible string of hits for himself and for leading Latin singers including Angélica María, Gualberto Castro, Aida Cuevas, Enriqueta Jiménez, Lucha Villa, Ana Gabriel, Lorenzo Antonio, and international stars José José, Luis Miguel and Rocío Dúrcal.
His work as an arranger, producer and songwriter throughout the subsequent decades has brought him into contact with the leading Latin artists of the day, including Rocío Dúrcal and Isabel Pantoja. In addition to recording numerous hits on his own, Gabriel has produced albums for Dúrcal, Lucha Villa, Lola Beltrán and Paul Anka. In 1984, he released Recuerdos, Vol. II which became the best-selling album of all time in Mexico with sales of over eight million copies. He also scored what is considered by many of his fans to be his greatest hit, Querida (“My Dear”) which stayed at the top of the hits charts for over a year.
Personal life
Juan Gabriel has never married. He has four children. Laura Castillo, mother of his children is unknown but Gabriel has stated that she is, “la mejor amiga de mi vida” or “the best friend of my life.” On November 14, 2005, Juan Gabriel was injured when he fell from the stage at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, and was hospitalized at Texas Medical Center. He sustained a fractured neck. He was forced to stay out of tour and bedridden for 8 months.
Charity work
He continues to do 10 to 12 performances per year as benefit concerts for his favorite children homes and habitually poses for pictures with his fans and forwards the proceeds from the photo-ops to support Mexican orphans. In 1987, Juan Gabriel founded Semjase, a house for orphaned and under-served children located in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. It serves school children between the ages of 6 to 12.
Awards and achievements
Gabriel’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1986, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley declared October 5 “The Day of Juan Gabriel.”
Received the Lo Nuestro Award Excellence Award in 1991.
Billboard, inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame 1996
ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award in 1995
A six time Grammy nominee
Sold 30 million copies of his albums
In 1995, three of his songs reached the Top 40 of Billboard magazine’s “Hot Latin Tracks” radio charts
People’s Choice Latin Music Award, 1999,(Ritmo) for best regional artist for his Con La Banda El Recodo
La Opinión Tributo Nacional (Lifetime Achievement Award), 1999
Billboard Award of a statue of Gabriel, erected at Mexico City’s Plaza Garibaldi, 2001 a favorite performance area for mariachi bands was done by sculptor Oscar Ponzanelli.
Singer and Composer Juan Gabriel Takes home 4 Billboard Awards, 2002
Was honored as the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year on November 4, 2009, the night prior to the 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards.
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Selected films and television shows
1977: Nobleza ranchera
1979: En esta primavera
1980: El Noa Noa
1980: Del otro lado del puente
1982: Es mi vida
1984: Siempre en domingo
1990: Bazar Viena
2000: Evicted
2007: La niñera (animated television series)
Studio albums
1971: El Alma Joven…
1972: El Alma Joven Vol.II
1973: El Alma Joven Vol.III
1974: Juan Gabriel con el Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán
1976: A Mi Guitarra
1976: Juan Gabriel con, Mariachi Vol. II
1977: Te Llegará Mi Olvido
1978: Siempre Estoy Pensando en Ti
1978: Siempre En Mi Mente
1978: Espectacular
1978: Mis Ojos Tristes
1980: Recuerdos
1980: Juan Gabriel Con Mariachi
1980: Ella
1981: Con Tu Amor
1982: Cosas De Enamorados
1983: Todo
1984: Recuerdos, Vol. II
1986: Pensamientos
1994: Gracias Por Esperar
1995: El México Que Se Nos Fue
1996: Del Otro Lado del Puente
1997: Juntos Otra Vez with Rocío Dúrcal
1998: Por Mi Orgullo
1998: Con la Banda…El Recodo with Banda el Recodo
1999: ¡Románticos!
2000: Abrázame Muy Fuerte
2003: Inocente de Ti
2010: Juan Gabriel
2015: Los Dúo
2015: Los Dúo, Vol. 2
2016: Los Dúo, Vol. 3
Soundtracks
1979: Me Gusta Bailar Contigo
Compilations, duets and live albums
1975: 10 Exitos de Juan Gabriel
1986: Frente a Frente, Vol. 1
1987: Frente a Frente, Vol. 2
1988: Para Ti 14 Exitos Originales
1988: Debo Hacerlo
1990: Juan Gabriel en El Palacio de Bellas Artes
1996: 25 Aniversario: Solos, Duetos Y Versiones Especiales
1998: Celebrando 25 Años de Juan Gabriel: En Concierto en el Palacio de Bellas Artes
1999: Todo Está Bien
2001: Por Los Siglos
2004: El Unico: Sus Más Grandes Exitos
2004: 15 Exitos de Juan Gabriel
2004: Los 15 Grandes Exitos de Juan Gabriel
2006: La Historia del Divo
2007: Los Gabriel… Simplemente Amigos with Ana Gabriel
2008: Los Gabriel: Cantan a México with Ana Gabriel
2008: Los Gabriel… Para ti with Ana Gabriel
2008: El Divo Canta A México
2009: Mis Canciones, Mis Amigos
2010: Mis Favoritas
2010: Boleros
2012: Celebrando
2014: Mis 40 en Bellas Artes
2014: Mis Número 1…40 Aniversario
Singles
1971: “No tengo dinero”
1974: “Se me olvidó otra vez”
1978: “Siempre en mi mente”
1978: “Mis ojos tristes”
1979: “Mañana, mañana”
1980: “He venido a pedirte perdón”
1980: “La diferencia”
1980: “El Noa Noa”
1980: “Yo no nací para amar”
1982: “Insensible”
1982: “No me vuelvo a enamorar”
1984: “Querida”
1985: “Déjame vivir”
1986: “Te lo pido por favor”
1986: “Amor, amor es amor”
1986: “Yo no sé que me paso”
1987: “Qué lástima”
1987: “Hasta que te conocí”
1988: “Debo hacerlo”
1988: “Sólo sé que fue en marzo”
1991: “Amor eterno”
1994: “Pero, ¿qué necesidad?”
1994: “Lentamente”
1995: “El México que se nos fue”
1995: “El palo”
1995: “Canción 187”
1995: “Muriendo de amor”
1996: “Mi bendita tierra”
1996: “Mi pueblo” (with Paul Anka)
1997: “Te sigo amando”
1997: “El destino”
1997: “La incertidumbre” (with Rocío Dúrcal)
1998: “Así fue”
1999: “Adorable mentirosa” (with Banda El Recodo)
1999: “Te doy las gracias” (with Banda El Recodo)
1999: “Infidelidad” (with Banda El Recodo)
1999: “El sinaloense” (with Banda El Recodo)
1999: “Todo está bien”
2000: “Abrázame muy fuerte”
2001: “Inocente pobre amigo”
2003: “Inocente de ti”
2004: “Yo te recuerdo”
2010: “¿Por qué me haces llorar?”
Tours
Volver Tour (2014)
Bienvenidos al Noa Noa Gira (2015)
In popular culture
In 1993, American singer Lorenzo Antonio released his album Mi Tributo a Juan Gabriel on WEA. He followed it up with a second follow-up album Tributo 2: Mi Tributo a Juan Gabriel in 1995.
above: Vídeo oficial de Juan Gabriel de su tema ‘Hasta Que Te Conoci’.
Zephaniah Stringfield writes about forlorn love, searching for home, finding freedom, and having the courage to go on when you’re all beat out. He was born and raised in the San Francisco East Bay and learned to play guitar at age 13. He gained performance experience and confidence singing on the streets of Oakland and Berkeley and has since spiraled around the country, through cities and deserts, finding music in the nowhere places of America. He has a wide range of musical loves and influences, but most often is compelled by those timeless moments when honest folk can speak their songs from deep below their soles.
