La Bella Lola
Encyclopedia
La Bella Lola is, for many, the Hymn
of the Sailor
. The lyrics describe the beauty of a woman and the surrounding sea. The author is unknown and it is said that it is nothing more than a folk song. Some sources say that it arose during the late 19th century, from the floral games
at the annual Carnival
in the port of Guaymas
, Mexico
. The inspiration came from a woman named Maria Dolores Ferrá Calderón, the adopted daughter of a Barber
. Both Maria and her father were natives and residents of the port.
In 1967, the famous Mexican
singer, Estanislao García Espinosa signed a deal with the record company RCA Victor. He presented the song to the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico (SACM) with the title “The Beautiful Lola”, and an uncertain history. The SACM, through Maria Elena Parra, found a pre-existing copy of the song, also with the title The Beautiful Lola. The composer Don Juan Solano had registered the song in the Spanish
registry in 1966. Maria Elena, given these two contradictory documents, doubted the songs authenticity and catalogued it as in the public domain.
The version popular in Mexico and sung by merchant sailors is:
MY BEAUTIFUL LOLA
WHEN ON THE BEACH MY BEAUTIFUL LOLA
HER PRETTY FIGURE GOES A'SHINING
THE SAILORS BECOME SO CRAZY
EVEN THE CAPTAIN LOSES THE COMPASS
OH THE PLEASURE I FELT
WHEN AT THE BEACH
SHE TOOK OUT HER HANDKERCHIEF AND WAVED TO ME
LATER SHE APPROACHED ME
GAVE ME A HUG
AND WITHIN HER GRASP I THOUGHT I HAD DIED
AND WE THE POOR SAILORS
HAVE MADE A LITTLE BOAT OF WAX
TO LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA
FOR ONE CANNOT LIVE ON THE LAND.
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
of the Sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
. The lyrics describe the beauty of a woman and the surrounding sea. The author is unknown and it is said that it is nothing more than a folk song. Some sources say that it arose during the late 19th century, from the floral games
Floral Games
Floral Games were any of a series historically related poetry contests with floral prizes. In Occitan, their original language, and Catalan they are known as Jocs florals . In French they became the Jeux floraux...
at the annual Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
in the port of Guaymas
Guaymas
Guaymas is a city and municipality located in the southwest part of the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. The city is located 117 km south of the state capital of Hermosillo, and 242 miles from the U.S. border, and is the principal port for the state. The municipality is located in the...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The inspiration came from a woman named Maria Dolores Ferrá Calderón, the adopted daughter of a Barber
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
. Both Maria and her father were natives and residents of the port.
In 1967, the famous Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
singer, Estanislao García Espinosa signed a deal with the record company RCA Victor. He presented the song to the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico (SACM) with the title “The Beautiful Lola”, and an uncertain history. The SACM, through Maria Elena Parra, found a pre-existing copy of the song, also with the title The Beautiful Lola. The composer Don Juan Solano had registered the song in the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
registry in 1966. Maria Elena, given these two contradictory documents, doubted the songs authenticity and catalogued it as in the public domain.
The version popular in Mexico and sung by merchant sailors is:
MY BEAUTIFUL LOLA
WHEN ON THE BEACH MY BEAUTIFUL LOLA
HER PRETTY FIGURE GOES A'SHINING
THE SAILORS BECOME SO CRAZY
EVEN THE CAPTAIN LOSES THE COMPASS
OH THE PLEASURE I FELT
WHEN AT THE BEACH
SHE TOOK OUT HER HANDKERCHIEF AND WAVED TO ME
LATER SHE APPROACHED ME
GAVE ME A HUG
AND WITHIN HER GRASP I THOUGHT I HAD DIED
AND WE THE POOR SAILORS
HAVE MADE A LITTLE BOAT OF WAX
TO LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA
FOR ONE CANNOT LIVE ON THE LAND.