The history of La Sonora Ponceña is the history of Quique Lucca, (Yauco, Puerto Rico, 12 December 1912 - 9 October 2016). In 1928, when he was 16 years old, his family moves to Ponce, Puerto Rico and Quique starts to work as an auto mechanic and starts playing the guitar. In 1932 Quique meets Angélica Quiñones, the future mother of his children, Zulma, Papo y Wanda. In 1944 Quique puts together a band called "El Conjunto Internacional", including three instrumentalists: tumbadora, bongó, vocalist and Quique Lucca at the guitar and second voice. Later, Antonio "Tato" Santaella joined, playing the bongó. On 10 April 1946, Enrique Lucca Jr. ("Papo") was born; he would later become the musical director of "La Sonora". In fact, in 1951, Papo surprised his father and the other members of the "Internacional" band when, at only 5 years old, he joined a band practice and started playing the tumbadora on Tito Puente's "Ran Kan Kan".
After the band had been inactive for a year, Quique re-established it in 1954 and renamed it "Conjunto Sonora Ponceña". His childhood friend Antonio "Tato" Santaella played bajo de cajón. On 20 April of that year the band plays at its first official dance. In 1956, Vicentivo Morales, joins the band as its first pianist. Later that year, Quique brings young Papo into the band as a pianist. In November 1957, Papo makes its official debut during a dance on the northern shore of the Island. In 1958, La Sonora Ponceña records its first 78 RPM with Avelino Muñoz as pianist. The 78 RPM contained No puede Ser on one side and Tan Linda que Era on the reverse side. Towards the end of 1958, the band goes into recording mode and includes 12-year-old Papo Lucca. The band included its first official vocalist Charlie Martínez. Later on, vocalists Felipe and Davilita would also record bolero-mambo themes such as Noche de Locura. In September 1960, the group played in New York. The group's main attraction was its 12-year-old pianist, Papo Lucca. In 1968 the group started its official recordings on 33 RPM with the song Hacheros Pa' Un Palo.
In 1974, singer Humberto "Tito" Gómez leaves the band after 7 years and 6 recordings. Together with Joe Rodríguez and Mickey Ortíz, Humberto "Tito" Gómez formed La Terrífica. Likewise, in 1977 Edgardo Morales, who played the timbal leaves the band after 7 years and 7 recordings and joins El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. In 1978 singer Luis Guillermo "Luigui" Texidor leves the band after 10 years and 10 recordings to join Bobby Valentín's Orchestra. In 1982 trumpetist Humberto Godineaux leaves the band after 4 years a 6 recordings. Singer Yolanda Rivera also left the band after 7 years and 8 recordings. In 1985, singer Miguel Ortíz retires from the band after 11 years and 12 recordings. On 28 May 1986, the band losses singer Alberto "Toñito" Ledée in a car accident. In 1987, trumpetist Heriberto "Ayatollah" Santiago also retires having 7 years and 5 recordings to his credit. In July 1989, long-time bass player Antonio "Tato" Santaella retired after 21 recordings. Tato played without ever using any musical scores, and singing entirely "by ear". A year later, in 1990, another bass player Efraín "Frao" Hernández retired from the band after 10 years and 7 recordings. In 1990, bongó player Angel Hernández also retired after 14 years and 13 recordings. In 1991, tumbadora player Vicente "Pequeño Johnny" Rivera retires after 16 years with the band. He had performed on 15 of the band's recordings. In 1993, long-time trumpeter Ramón "Tony El Cordovés" Rodríguez retired after 24 recordings. This was followed by the retirement of trumpeter Freddie Del Valle, who had played with the band for 6 years and had participated in 5 recordings.
In 1993, the band played at the Magno Orchestra Festival in Barranquilla, Colombia. The band was awarded the “Congo de Oro” award, given to the best international band. And in October 1994, Sonora Ponceña celebrated its 40th anniversary with a festival at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The band would later also play at the Madison Square Garden to bring its celebration to the United States. In 1995, the band did a reunion recording with Luis Guillermo "Luigi" Texidor and Yolanda Rivera who had retired 19 and 14 years earlier, respectively. That same year, they sang in Paris, France, and at the Desfile de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Parade) in Zaragoza, Spain. In 1996 the band plays for the first time in Mexico at the Boca del Río, Veracruz, Mexico, carnival.
In 2000, Sonora Ponceña celebrated its 45th anniversary at the Tito Puente Amphitheater at the Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan, Puerto Rico and at the Teatro La Perla in Ponce. They also played in Caracas, Venezuela as part of this 45th anniversary celebration. In the years following 2000, La Sonora Ponceña participated in a large number of events throughout Puerto Rico, including Fiestas Patronales, private parties, graduation parties, and corporate Christmas and holiday parties. In the following years, the band also made presentations in Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Washington, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Jersey, Panamá, Perú, England, Switzerland and Italy.
For its 50th year anniversary (2004), the band played at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The 12,000 spectators made the show a complete sellout on its presentation day, February 21. The show was broadcast via radio and television.
During its 50th anniversaery show at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, the band was officially recognized by the Legislature of Puerto Rico for its musical contributions.
The 23rd “Día Nacional de la Salsa”, celebrated in Carolina, Puerto Rico on 16 March 2004, was dedicated to Don Quique, Papo and la Sonora Ponceña.
In Ponce there is a street, in Urb. Estancias del Golf, named after Quique Lucca.
The 2003 "Feria de Turismo", celebrated at Complejo Turístico “La Guancha” in Ponce was dedicated to Don Quique, Papo and la Sonora Ponceña.
Hachero Pa 'Un Palo
Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cual es es truco que tiene
Ese palo añejo ?
(Papo Lucas)
Bueno Voltio mira
Lo que hay es rap y salsa
Vamo a ver como suena esa esquina
(Papo Lucas)
Vamos pa alla
Valla pa lante
Que cosa tiene ese palo
Que no lo puedo tumbar
Tal vez sera quebra hacha
Quizas será guayacán
El caso es que los hacheros
Lo dejan que asi se van
Que Cosa tendrá, camará
Que cosa tendraaa
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
Caballero que jerengue con ese palo
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
Si su sombra te cobija
Por que kieres tumbarlo
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
Zúmbalo Voltio
Que es lo que tiene el condenau
Que pa tumbarlo está malo
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
No venga a llorikiar,
Porque esto aqui es pa bravo
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
Que por mas lima que de
Se le rompe el cabo
Juega Papo Lucas
Amuela las blanca y las negras
Que hay que darle duro a ese palo
Ahora es que es
{Papo Lucas tocando el piano}
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
Hacheros pa un palo, hacheros pa un palo
Hacheros pa un palo
Del árbol caido
La gente hace leña
El asunto es que meterle
Y en tumbarlo se empeñan
No ha nacido todavía
En esta isla borinqueña
Tumbar a Julio Voltio
Y la sonora ponceña
Amuela tu hacha
A ver si se ababacha
Que este palo no se cai
Esto es pa las muchachas
Duro le han pegau
Pero que nadie lo derriba
Con to los que me tiren
Como kiera voy pa encima
Viene tanto hachero
Pa tumbarme el palo
Buscan su bakeo
Por que esto está malo
Yo no se que pasa
Que no lo han tumbau
Pero el palo mio
Ya Esta bien sembraú
Dile a los acheros
Que amuelen su hacha
Que, esta duro
El palo
Amuela tu hacha
Que vamos pa la guaracha
Y voltio con la sonora
Al palo con las muchachas
Que pasa
Dile a los acheros
Que amuelen su hacha
Que, esta duro
El palo
Palo palito
Que palo palo es
Setenti dos haceros
Y contigo setenti tres
Como es
Dile a los acheros
Que amuelen su hacha
Que, esta duro
El palo
Mientras ma viejo, Mas fuerte
Pa encima hasta la muerte
Yo soy el palo duro
Trata a ver si tienes suerte
Hacheros pa un palo, hacheros pa un palo
Hacheros pa un palo, Haceros pa un
Bueno Papo que clase esquina
(Papo Lucas)
Tremenda esquina
Y el hacha quedó mellá
The lyrics of Sonora Poncena’s song Hachero Pa’ Un Palo tell a story of a group of men trying to cut down a particularly stubborn tree. The song begins with a dialogue between two individuals, discussing the techniques and tricks needed to cut down the tree. The chorus repeats the phrase “setenta y dos hacheros pa’ un palo,” which translates to “seventy-two lumberjacks for a single tree,” emphasizing the difficulty of the task at hand. The song notes that despite the best efforts of the lumberjacks, the tree remains standing strong. The lyrics also allude to the idea that the tree has a certain mystical quality that makes it particularly difficult to cut down. The song ends with the tree still standing, but the lumberjacks determined to keep trying.
The lyrics of Hachero Pa’ Un Palo can be interpreted in a few different ways. Some believe that the song is a commentary on the strength and resilience of people of African descent. Just as the single tree cannot be felled by 72 lumberjacks, Black people have shown throughout history that they cannot be defeated by oppressive forces. Others interpret the song as a metaphor for Puerto Rico’s political and social struggles. The idea of a single tree that cannot be cut down despite the efforts of many can be seen as a commentary on how the Puerto Rican people have remained resilient in the face of colonizers and imperialists who have sought to keep them down.
Line by Line Meaning
Bueno Papo
Introduction to the conversation
Cual es es truco que tiene
What is the trick that this old tree has?
Ese palo añejo ?
Referring to the old tree
(Papo Lucas)
Speaker attribution
Bueno Voltio mira
Hey Voltio, listen up
Lo que hay es rap y salsa
The music playing is a fusion of rap and salsa
En verdad ?
Really?
Vamo a ver como suena esa esquina
Let's see how this music sounds in the corner
(Papo Lucas)
Speaker attribution
Vamos pa alla
Let's go over there
Valla pa lante
Move forward
Que cosa tiene ese palo
What does this tree have
Que no lo puedo tumbar
That I can't knock it down
Tal vez sera quebra hacha
Maybe it's Quebracha wood
Quizas será guayacán
Perhaps, it's Guayacan wood
El caso es que los hacheros
The fact is that lumberjacks
Lo dejan que asi se van
They leave it as it is
Que Cosa tendrá, camará
What could it be, my friend?
Que cosa tendraaa
What could it be?
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
72 lumberjacks for one tree
Caballero que jerengue con ese palo
Gentlemen, let's dance with this tree
Si su sombra te cobija
If you're covered in its shade
Por que kieres tumbarlo
Why do you want to knock it down?
Zúmbalo Voltio
Let's go, Voltio
Que es lo que tiene el condenau
What does this tree have?
Que pa tumbarlo está malo
It's difficult to knock down
No venga a llorikiar,
Don't start crying
Porque esto aqui es pa bravo
This is a tough challenge
Que por mas lima que de
No matter how much I file it
Se le rompe el cabo
The handle keeps breaking
Juega Papo Lucas
Play the piano, Papo Lucas
Amuela las blanca y las negras
Sharpen the white and black keys
Que hay que darle duro a ese palo
We have to play hard with this tree
Seteinta y dós hacheros pa un palo
72 lumberjacks for one tree
Hacheros pa un palo, hacheros pa un palo
Lumberjacks for one tree
Del árbol caido
From a fallen tree
La gente hace leña
People make firewood
El asunto es que meterle
The issue is to take it up
Y en tumbarlo se empeñan
And they insist on knocking it down
No ha nacido todavía
There hasn't been born yet
En esta isla borinqueña
On this Puerto Rican island
Tumbar a Julio Voltio
Someone to knock down Julio Voltio
Y la sonora ponceña
And Sonora Ponceña band
Amuela tu hacha
Sharpen your ax
A ver si se ababacha
Let's see if it wears down
Que este palo no se cai
This tree won't fall
Esto es pa las muchachas
This is for the ladies
Duro le han pegau
They've hit it hard
Pero que nadie lo derriba
But nobody can knock it down
Con to los que me tiren
With everything they throw at me
Como kiera voy pa encima
I'm still going strong
Viene tanto hachero
So many lumberjacks are coming
Pa tumbarme el palo
To knock down this tree
Buscan su bakeo
They're looking for a way to win
Por que esto está malo
Because this is a tough challenge
Yo no se que pasa
I don't know what's going on
Que no lo han tumbau
They haven't knocked it down yet
Pero el palo mio
But my tree
Ya Esta bien sembraú
Is well-rooted
Que pasa
What's up?
Palo palito
Small stick of the tree
Que palo palo es
What a thick tree it is
Setenti dos haceros
72 lumberjacks
Y contigo setenti tres
And with you, 73
Mientras ma viejo
The older I am
Mas fuerte, Pa encima hasta la muerte
Stronger, I keep going up until death
Yo soy el palo duro
I am a tough tree
Trata a ver si tienes suerte
Try your luck against me
Hacheros pa un palo, hacheros pa un palo
Lumberjacks for one tree
Bueno Papo que clase esquina
Hey Papo, what a great corner
(Papo Lucas)
Speaker attribution
Tremenda esquina
Great corner
Y el hacha quedó mellá
And the ax got chipped
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RuddyRosas
EN EL PERÚ 🇵🇪 SOMOS AMANTE DE LA SALSA DURA COMO LE DECIMOS NOSOTROS.
LA PONCEÑA ES OTRO LEVEL ES LA MEJOR ORQUESTA EN LA HISTORIA DE LA SALSA . SALUDOS BORICUAS DESDE LIMA PERÚ 🇵🇪
@luisfjaime1034
Soy cubano, pero con este tema Puerto Rico se botó, se rompió el molde señores, pura sabrosura y afínque. Tremendo empaste del coro, percusión bestial y ese mago de Papo Lucca, con un solo de piano de otra galaxia. Esto es nivel Máximo, a recogerse.
@mikesosa1146
Los cubanos nos dieron el ritmo clave. We will always be attached.
@InfanteDifunto
Este tema es cubano, mi hermano. Es un son montuno de la autoría del Ciego Maravilloso Arsenio Rodríguez! Busca el original que está por ahí también. 🇨🇺
@jorgevillafane2292
@@mikesosa1146 5
@cam-ix1er
@@InfanteDifunto Quien dijo que no era Cubano? Yo estoy seguro que Arsenio Rodriguez si hubiera oido esta version de la Sonora estaria gozando.
@oscarr.camacho7257
Saludos mi gente linda 💪👍
@RuddyRosas
Terrible Sonero Domingo Quiñones el más que Canta 🎤
Tus temas Son todo un éxito : saludos desde Lima Perú 🇵🇪
@victoramabilisgerrero3469
Soy venezolano pero con este tema la
Sacaron
De jonron con
La.salsa Brava no hay.competencia.
@LuisAlfredoGarcia-qq4fx
Que, locura puerto ron,en Bucaramanga los queremos. Viva. Ponce. Luigi.