Lara's first musical composition was "Marucha," written in honour of one of his first loves. In 1927 he already was working in cabarets. He subsequently moved to Puebla, but returned to the capital in 1929. That same year he started working for the tenor Juan Arvizu as composer and accompanist. In September 1930, he began a successful radio career. At the same time he acted and composed songs for such films as Santa (1931).
In 1933 Lara's first tour in Cuba was a failure because of political turmoil on the island. Later, more successful tours in South America, as well as such new compositions as "Solamente Una Vez" (composed in Buenos Aires and dedicated to José Mujica), "Veracruz", "Tropicana", and "Pecadora" increased his fame. Lara was also known for his love affairs with various women, among them María Félix, who became one of his many wives, and to whom he dedicated his most famous compositions, such as "María Bonita", "Aquel Amor" and "Noche de Ronda." He wrote more than 700 songs.
By the beginning of the 1940s, Lara was well-known in Spain. In 1965, the Spanish Caudillo Francisco Franco gave him a beautiful house in Granada in appreciation of his songs with Spanish themes, such as "Toledo", "Granada", "Seville", and "Madrid". He received additional honors and decorations from around the world.
It is said that Lara never learned musical notation.
In 1968 Lara's health began to decline rapidly; an accident that fractured his pelvis further aggravated his condition. On November 6, 1970, the musician-poet died. He was buried in the Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres of the Panteón de Dolores in Mexico City.
Nowadays, in the port of Veracruz, there is a nostalgic place for El Flaco de Oro’s followers: La Casita Blanca ("The Little White House"). From this museum and bohemian corner, the ocean waves can be heard, and the romantic sense of the Veracruzans is evident. Younger and older generations express their emotion while singing "Piensa en mí" ("Think about me") in homage to one who always loved his country.
Agustín Lara sang for his cousin Edward Lara's wedding to Graciela Chabolla Garcia (who then became Graciela Chabolla de Lara) in Mexico City in 1964.
He is survived and celebrated by his extensive family. The Lara family and its musical roots now extend from southern and central Mexico to California. (His cousin Francisco Lara (+), Trinidad Lara (+) nephew Armando Lara Sr,(Coroba Veracruz) (+) niece Arminda Paula Lara DeHoyos (Laredo TX), Adolfo Lara (+), Gelacio Lara (+), Roberto Lara, Herminia Lara, Zenon Lara, Socorro Lara, Antonio Lara, Lesvia Lara, Victor Lara( (NL MEX) Manuel Lara, Edward Lara, Rocio Lara, Eduardo Alejandro Lara, Gerardo Lara) and Wisconsin (Edward Manuel Lara and his wife Mary Lou Lara) in the U.S.
Pobre de Mí
Agustín Lara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Siente mis manos, como acarician tu tersa piel
Mis pobres manos alas quebradas
Cruzificadas, cruzificadas, bajo tus pies
Abre los brazos maravillosos
Y entre sollozos bebete mi alma que es para ti
Sol de mis vida, luz de mis ojos
Siente mis manos, como acarician tu tersa piel
Abre los brazos, maravillosos, y entre sollozos bebete mi alma, que es para ti
Que culpa tengo de ser tan tuyo de tu orgullo sea mi cadena pobre de ti
The lyrics to Agustin Lara's song "Pobre de Mí" speak of a deep and painful love that is unequal and unrequited. The singer addresses their lover as the "sun of their life, light of their eyes," expressing a deep adoration and devotion towards them. The singer's hands are described as "broken wings," which seem to be a metaphor for their inability to fly away from this love that is causing them so much pain. The hands are also described as "crucified" under the lover's feet, signifying the extreme sacrifice and suffering the singer is enduring for this love.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's longing to be accepted and embraced by their lover. They ask their lover to open their magnificent arms and drink their soul, which is dedicated entirely to them. Despite the pain and inequality of the relationship, the singer is still willing to give everything they have to their lover, knowing that they may never receive the same in return.
Overall, "Pobre de Mí" is a passionate and poignant expression of a love that is doomed from the start, yet still impossible to resist.
Line by Line Meaning
Sol de mi vida, luz de mis ojos
My love, you are the sunshine of my life, the light in my eyes
Siente mis manos, como acarician tu tersa piel
Feel my hands, how they stroke your soft skin
Mis pobres manos alas quebradas
My poor hands, broken wings
Cruzificadas, cruzificadas, bajo tus pies
Crucified, crucified, under your feet
Abre los brazos maravillosos
Open your marvelous arms
Y entre sollozos bebete mi alma que es para ti
And with tears, drink my soul which belongs to you
Sol de mis vida, luz de mis ojos
My love, you are the sunshine of my life, the light in my eyes
Siente mis manos, como acarician tu tersa piel
Feel my hands, how they stroke your soft skin
Mis pobres manos, alas quebradas, crusificadas, crusificadas, bajo tus pies
My poor hands, broken wings, crucified, crucified, under your feet
Abre los brazos, maravillosos, y entre sollozos bebete mi alma, que es para ti
Open your marvelous arms and with tears, drink my soul which belongs to you
Que culpa tengo de ser tan tuyo de tu orgullo sea mi cadena pobre de ti
What fault is it of mine to be so yours, to have your pride as my chain, poor you
Writer(s): AGUSTIN LARA
Contributed by Chloe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.