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.
Solamente Una Vez
Agustín Lara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ame en la vida,
solamente una vez
why nada mas
Una vez, nada mas
en mi huerto brillo la esperanza,
la esperanza que alumbra el camino
de mi soledad
Una vez, nada mas
se entrega el alma
con la dulce why total
renunciacion,
why cuando ese milagro realiza
el prodigio de amarse,
hay campanas de fiesta que cantan
en el corazon...
The lyrics to Agustín Lara's Solamente una Vez express a singular and powerful love experienced by the singer. He sings that he has loved only once in his life, and that it was a deep and all-encompassing love. He emphasizes the rarity of this love by repeating the phrase "una vez, nada más" (once, nothing more) throughout the song. The lyrics are poetic and dreamlike, describing a hopeful and bright garden where the singer's soul is fully given over to the love he feels. This love is so intense, it is described as a miracle and the bells of celebration ring in the heart of the singer.
While the lyrics of Solamente una Vez are simple and straightforward, they are full of meaning and emotion. The singer's love is portrayed as a rare and precious flower that blooms in his garden, representing hope and renewal. This deep love is also portrayed as an act of surrender, a total and complete renunciation of the self. When this miracle of love occurs, the singer feels a sense of celebration and joy in his heart, as if the bells of a fiesta were ringing. Overall, the lyrics express a profound and heartfelt expression of love, one that is both hopeful and celebratory.
Line by Line Meaning
Solamente una vez
Only once in my life
ame en la vida,
did I love
solamente una vez
only one time
why nada mas
and nothing more
Una vez, nada mas
Just once, and no more
en mi huerto brillo la esperanza,
In my garden shone the hope
la esperanza que alumbra el camino
the hope that lights the way
de mi soledad
of my loneliness
Una vez, nada mas
Just once, and no more
se entrega el alma
does one give their soul
con la dulce why total
with sweet and total
renunciacion,
renunciation
why cuando ese milagro realiza
and when that miracle happens
el prodigio de amarse,
the wonder of loving
hay campanas de fiesta que cantan
there are bells of celebration that sing
en el corazon...
in the heart...
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Agustin Lara
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IZ77APARBL
🎵Solamente una vez amé la vida,
solamente una vez y nada más,
una vez nada más en mi huerto brilló la esperanza,
la esperanza que alumbra el camino de mi soledad.
Una vez nada más se entrega el alma
con la dulce y total renunciación
Y cuando es el milagro realiza el prodigio de amarse,
hay campanas de fiesta que cantan en mi corazón🎵
@franciscovillar2884
Sólo una cosa.
La canción es mucho más que una simple historia romántica, entre un hombre y una mujer.
ES LA UNIÓN DE LOS CORAZONES, DEL SER HUMANO CON SU REDENTOR, DADO EN EL HUERTO Y EN LA CRUZ, EN DOLOR Y SANGRE, EN EL PRODIGIO DE AMOR MÁS GRANDE.
QUE NO TIENE FIN, SINO QUE ES FIESTA CONTINUA EN LOS CORAZONES DE LOS AMANTES DE CRISTO.
@Julyonyutu
no me le meta religión la canción pana épaleee
@adrianacareaga4074
autamaticamente vienen recuerdos a mi mente, hoy tengo 47 vivo lejos de muy lejos de mi México, pero es fascinante escuchar al sr. Agustín Lara mi abuelo , me arruyaba con esta maravillosa música cuando era muy pequeña. en cuyoaco , puebla.
@luisbasilio660
Lo más hermoso verdad?
@alvarofernandezrodas5539
Esta canción es simplemente una joya de la música universal. Y a mí me gusta precisamente oída por su autor que la vocaliza con toda claridad y con mucho sentimiento.
Gracias, maestro, desde este Madrid de tu chotis.
@redapple777
Gauuu.. usted vio el oro directamente..
@zuneimyscuevas2850
Soy panameña de 15 años hace mas de seis meses leí sobre este compositor y me enamoré es genial
Lástima que ya nadie compone así
@valeryenny
Escuchaba a mi papá tocar y cantar su música desde que yo era una bebé y me parecían maravillosas sus canciones, Arráncame la vida, Noche Criolla, Rival, todas y de eso hace más de 50 años, me alegro que haya gente jovencísima como tu manteniendo vivo su recuerdo. Saludos¡¡¡
@luisbasilio2958
Zally Calderón pero el aún sigue vivo para ti y para los q nos gusta su música
@CMounsieur
Nosotros LOS VIEJOS ADMIRAMOS gente joven como Tu, al mostrar interes por las mellodias que en nuestro tiempo nos ayudaron a conocer a nuestras esposas. SIGUE LEYENDO TEMAS CULTURALES . . . Mucha Gente TE LO AGRADECEREMOS