Pucho didn't achieve the wide recognition of some other 'latin jazz' performers, exploring similar territory, e.g.: Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo & Cal Tjader. The timbales player / bandleader may also have been too eclectic / open (to outside influences), to achieve significant recognition amongst piers & the, then contemporary, 'serious' jazz community. He disbanded the group in 1973, to focus on more traditional 'latin music'.
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Friendship Train
Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the world today is in a desperate situation
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing
Nothing but corruption
It look like mankind in on the eve of destruction
Oh yes it is now people let me tell you now
We've got to learn to live with each other
No matter what the race, creed or color
Is love and understanding get aboard the friendship train
Everybody shake a hand make a friend now
Listen to us now, we're doing our thing
On the friendship train
We've got to start today to make tomorrow
A brighter day for our children
Oh calm down people now we can do it
I can prove it but only if our hearts are willing
So get aboard the friendship train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand
Yes I'm talking about the friendship train
Get on board shake a hand, make a friend
It don't matter what you look like
People or who you are
If your heart is in the right place
In the right place
Talking about the right place
You're welcome aboard now
This train stands for justice,
This train stands for freedom
This train stands for harmony and peace
This train stands for love
Come on get on the friendship train
People listen to me now
Harmony is the key my sisters and brothers
Oh yes it is I say
Harmony is the key my sisters and brothers
People can't wait cause another day might be too late
Come on get on the friendship train
The lyrics of Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers' song Friendship Train are a call for unity and understanding in a time of social and political turmoil. The song starts with a bleak assessment of the state of the world, with rampant violence and corruption that suggest humanity is on the brink of destruction. Against this backdrop, Pucho makes a passionate plea for people to come together and learn to live with each other, regardless of their race, creed, or color. He believes that the world needs love and understanding, and that the only way to achieve this is by getting on board the "friendship train."
The metaphor of the "friendship train" is used throughout the song to represent the idea of a collective effort towards justice, freedom, harmony, and peace. Pucho says that we must start today to make tomorrow a better day for our children, and that we can only do this if our hearts are willing. As the song builds towards its climax, Pucho reiterates that harmony is the key to success, and that people cannot afford to wait because another day may be too late. In a sense, the "friendship train" is both a call to action and a symbol of hope - a reminder that by working together, we can create a better world for ourselves and future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling out to everyone across the nation
Sending a message to people everywhere
Said the world today is in a desperate situation
The world is in a bad state
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing
Violent and criminal behavior
Nothing but corruption
Everything is dishonest and bad
It look like mankind in on the eve of destruction
The end of the world is near
Oh yes it is now people let me tell you now
Belief in the urgency of the message
We've got to learn to live with each other
We must coexist peacefully
No matter what the race, creed or color
Regardless of superficial differences
I just got to tell you what the world needs now
Stating the solution to the world's problems
Is love and understanding get aboard the friendship train
Encouraging everyone to show kindness and empathy
Everybody shake a hand make a friend now
Encouraging friendliness and sociability
Listen to us now, we're doing our thing
Emphasizing their philosophy and actions
We've got to start today to make tomorrow
Beginning the effort to create a better future
A brighter day for our children
Creating a better world for future generations
Oh calm down people now we can do it
Encouraging people to stay calm and optimistic
I can prove it but only if our hearts are willing
Offering proof of the possibility of change
It don't matter what you look like
Appearance is not important
People or who you are
Identity is not important
If your heart is in the right place
Having good intentions and values is important
You're welcome aboard now
Invitation to join the movement
This train stands for justice,
The movement represents fairness
This train stands for freedom
The movement represents liberation
This train stands for harmony and peace
The movement represents unity and tranquility
This train stands for love
The movement represents compassion
Harmony is the key my sisters and brothers
Unity and balance are important
People can't wait cause another day might be too late
Urgency to act now before it's too late
Come on get on the friendship train
Join the movement of kindness and unity
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind