For Bee’s musical prompt today, I thought of a song that brings the effects of war and violence to the people-level, a personal perspective, if you will. Substitute the war/violence line in the song Fernando by ABBA – fateful night we crossed the Rio Grande – for war-ravaged Ukraine or other locations under seige, and you’ll find a deeply moving love song between two people recalling what they did for love, liberty, justice, and posterity. Yes, I realize Wikipedia states the revised lyrics are a reminiscing between two old freedom fighters, presumably male veterans of the Mexican Revolution.
I choose to internalize the song as a love song that endured the harsh circumstances of war because, war is ultimately about the plight of the people involved…the individuals…the survivors and the casualties…the humanity.
ABBA released Fernando on an album in 1976 after it had been released as a single in 1975 by band member Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Lyngstad’s version told a story of a friend consoling Fernando, because he’d lost a great love. (See…still could be a war love song.)
Cher sings Fernando with Andy Garcia in the movie Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again! The war referenced in this version is likely the Mexico-Guatamala conflict of 1959.
Until next time,
Kaye Spencer
writing through history one romance upon a time