Manuel Ponce was born in the state of Zacatecas, Fresnillo city. He was the twelfth child in his family. He began playing the piano at the age of four. At five he caught measles, and whilst he was recovering he wrote his first piece, called "The Measles Dance".
At 19, he sold his piano to go to Europe, where he studied music in Italy and Germany. He composed hundreds of pieces for piano and guitar. Some of these pieces made him famous in Europe. It has been said that the music of Ponce is "the finest ever written for the classical guitar". Many famous guitarists have played Ponce's music, including the great Andrés Segovia and John Williams.
Estrellita
Manuel María Ponce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
que miras mi dolor,
que sabes mi sufrir,
baja y di me si me quiere un poco
porque yo no puedo sin su amor vivir.
Estrellita del lejano cielo,
que miras mi dolor,
baja y di me si me quiere un poco
porque yo no puedo sin su amor vivir.
Tú eres estrella, mi faro de amor,
tú sabes que pronto he de morir.
Baja y di me si me quiere un poco
porque yo no puedo sin su amor vivir.
Baja y di me si me quiere un poco
porque yo no puedo sin su amor vivir.
The lyrics to Manuel María Ponce's song Estrellita convey a sense of longing and heartache. The song is addressed to a faraway star (Estrellita) who witnesses the singer's sorrow and suffering, and who is implored to come down and reveal whether she loves him at all, because he cannot live without her love. The tone is plaintive and melancholic, with the repetition of the opening lines underscoring the singer's desperation and desire for the star's attention and affection.
The lyrics suggest a romantic idealization of the star as a symbol of love and hope, as well as a source of guidance and direction (as she is described as a "faro de amor" or "lighthouse of love"). The imagery of the distant sky and the star's elevation emphasizes the distance and separation between the singer and the object of his love, as well as the impossibility of their union. The final lines, which repeat the plea for the star to reveal her love, reiterate the singer's vulnerability and dependence on her response.
Line by Line Meaning
Estrellita del lejano cielo,
Oh little star of the distant sky
que miras mi dolor,
who bears witness to my pain
que sabes mi sufrir,
who knows my suffering
baja y di me si me quiere un poco
come down and tell me if she loves me a little
porque yo no puedo sin su amor vivir.
for I cannot live without her love.
Tú eres estrella, mi faro de amor,
You are the star, the beacon of my love
tú sabes que pronto he de morir.
you know that soon I shall die
Baja y di me si me quiere un poco
come down and tell me if she loves me a little
porque yo no puedo sin su amor vivir.
for I cannot live without her love
Baja y di me si me quiere un poco
come down and tell me if she loves me a little
Contributed by Micah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ArmandoObladenFilho
Estrellita del lejano cielo,
que miras mi dolor,
que sabes mi sufrir.
Baja y dime...
si me quiere un poco,
porque yo no puedo sin su amor vivir.
¡Tu eres estrella mi faro de amor!
Tu sabes que pronto he de morir.
Baja y dime
si me quiere un poco,
porque yo no puedo sin su amor vivir.
@annacoribioanna
English Lyrics ☺
"Little star from the distant sky
That watches my pain
That knows my suffering
Come down and tell me if she likes me a little
Because I can't live without her love
You are, Little star, my beacon of love
You know that I will soon die
Come down and tell me if she likes me a little
Because I can't live without her love"
@redelpe1
Simply immortal. How is it possible for me to remember this from 70 years ago?
@Tinsymom1
It makes me proud as a mother to have watched my daughter play this at competition. Also my mother gushed with pride at the family reunion para mis primos! It makes all those hours of driving to class and master classes and the Symphony worth it. Now, my Dr.Gaddis still takes lessons and collects treasured guitars during her travels. Thanks Señior Rodrigo for your influence upon Argentina 🇦🇷.
@shantanuphadnis6829
Man I am 12 years late. I didn’t get to react in time. ❤ Absolute touching.
They feel like lyrics.
It’s not even the violin version.
@Robert-oz9fy
I should add, Mr. Tracanelli took Ponce’s notes and played this absolutely perfect. Enjoyed Maestro Tracanelli’s interpretation and his presentation of executing each and every single note with much care and skill.
@matthijsruhrup8869
This performance has everything, good tone, beautiful phrasing, emotion and tranquillity... very moving rendition indeed! I just love M.M. Ponce!
@bennyjazzful
WOW
Incredible version of one of the loveliest tunes ever composed!
Amazing sounds & so,so good.
@emiliog04
Musica MEXICANA magristralmente ejecutada, perfecta diria yo, del maestro MEXICANO MANUEL MARIA PONCE ORGULLO MEXICANO...
@kratospchbus7625
Emilio Garcia diría_
@DanieleSRD
Suono bellissimo e grande intensità. Grazie Stefano per questa perla.
@dg5669
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bellísimo!!!