I looked up the lyrics for this. It's a very beautiful and evocative song. I think there's a Spanish version as well. Abuelita is a Spanish affectionate term for Grandmother. 

Abuelita
from Somewhere Near Paterson

In a crowd, I don´t know which way to turn
I´m afraid I might not see you go by

But if I did, would I find the strength to speak?
And would you want to hear what a stranger would tell you?

That Soledad was your mother´s name
She fell in love with my Juan Luis
They may be gone
But I am still your Abuelita

You were born, and they took you from her arms
And a captain brought you home to his family

Now it may be that they have raised you as their own
And that it´s all you´ve known of home all these years

But Soldedad was your mother´s name
She fell in love with my Juan Luis
They may be gone
But I am still your Abuelita

In my mind, there are pictures of your face
As it might be now
And I pray I would know you

So I will wait with the others in the square
You can find me there
And I will tell you a story

That Soledad was your mother´s name
And how she loved my Juan Luis
Now they are gone
But I am still your Abuelita

 

I always think this is Richard Buckner (SP?)...

Yawn.

Bill, you just made my day. I was looking for this CD this morning and found only an empty case. I will have to hunt again tonight. Thanks for introducing me to Richard's music.

My grandmother is a man? Wow, that explains a lot...

Wow, The Sundays have a new album out. ;)

THIS GUY IS GOOD PLEASE PLAY MORE OF HIM.

stoppit now paaleeeeeeeaze....

gwynhefar wrote: Why WOULDN'T a man or a woman or both sing a song titled "Grandmother" or what a grandmother felt or thought?!

Nice to hear some substantial lyrics.... very, very nice.

Great voice and incredible storytelling/songwriting (at least I think so). Obviously not . Very much worth seeing live if you can.

This song is based on true events of political oppression during Argentina's "Dirty War" period of the early eighties. Many of the young "dissidents" were taken into custody and "disappeared" - never to be seen again. The pregnant women arrested were forced to give up their babies and many were "adopted" by military families - the very people who were oppressing the populace. Thousands of grandmothers were left trying to find & re-claim their grandchildren - the kids of their murdered sons & daughters. "Soledad" and "Juan Luis" were the names of the young couple "disappeared" by the authorities. Beautiful & sad tune told from the perspective of one abuelita.

Hmm . . . I may be wrong, but doesn't 'Abuelita' mean 'grandmother'? So why is this being sung by a man?

amazon101 wrote: I miss that KPFT too. Luckily RP has filled and surpassed the void. Always thought this song was named "Solidad" which is one of the reasons I love RP. ...looking up info about what's playing.

Good lord, who knew that Shindell would touch such a Canadian nerve? Apparently that 24 hour sunshine leaves you all a bit punchy this time of year. This is a true folk tune (rare here on RP) done subtly and gorgeously by one of the best contemporary folkies working. Love it. Lonestar wrote:

phineas wrote: You mean I was stupid to ever think that? You're probably right.

Heartbreaking lyrics.

RobK wrote: Well, that's just stupid.

obzidian wrote: Wow, I thought people from Canada were supposed to be smart.

Absolutely love RS! More please!

.... zzzz ... huh?! oh. A comment? .. o.k. ... let me see here ... oh okay, here it goes: I am currently satisfied with this particular artist and/or song. It is in no way offensive or original and does not upset my value system. Thank you. ... there, how was that?

Voice reminds me of the lead singer for Vertical Horizon.

oh, but, it's Abuelita......not to be picky. You're the best (and the reason I had to buy a Roku).

There is mellow and then there is boring. This is boring.

Nice mellow song.

I absolutely LOVE this song. I have not heard it in years, since Houston's KPFT stopped playing as much Americana/Texas music. I am buying the CD right now!! THANK YOU.