From the White House to el barrio, Tish Hinojosa has enchanted, enlightened and entertained countless listeners with her distinctive cross-cultural music. In the process, she has become one of the most acclaimed and beloved artists in the contemporary Latin and folk scene. With a purity of voice and a vision that also embraces pop, rock, tejano and international styles into her music, she reflects modern America's multicultural richness with sincerity, heart and a winning musicality.
Family, music and a multicultural perspective were hallmarks of Hinojosa's years growing up in San Antonio, where she began performing as a teen. Alongside the traditional Mexican songs she inherited from her parents, she was inspired by the pop and rock artists she and her older siblings listened to along with the folk revival of the early 1960s. Performing in her hometown as well as doing stints in Taos and Nashville, she eventually landed in the renowned Austin, TX music scene. Her debut album, "Homeland", found Hinojosa weaving all the threads of her musical ethos into a stunning tapestry that immediately put her on the international musical map. With her release, "Culture Swing", Hinojosa won the NAIRD Award for Best Folk Album.
Over the eleven subsequent releases, countless tours of North America and Europe, Hinojosa developed a loving and loyal audience and has explored a wide range of musical expression. Her music and social activism has won her numerous awards and accolades, including recognition by Fox TV's Bravo Honors and a Las Primeras (The Firsts) Award from MANA, the largest organization of Latina women. Hinojosa is frequently asked to appear at events, make cultural contributions and work on behalf of children, bilingual education, civil liberties, immigration, farm workers, multicultural organizations, and other humanitarian causes. Recent examples include: the National Bilingual Educators conference; the National Council of La Raza's conference, including performances at the event recognizing Latinas; the National Latino Children's Agenda, honoring the work of Latino legislators; a Capitol Hill reception publicizing the plight of Latino children during Hispanic Heritage Week, in Washington, DC; the Hispanic Women in Leadership's national conference; local spokesperson, PSA's, and events for Any Baby Can which provides aid to families of children with chronic illness or handicaps; a reception at the MAFO (farm worker organizations coalition) conference. She performed at the Hispanic Gala and at other events at the 1993 inauguration of the President of the United States and for the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Conference. Tish was also invited to perform at The White House for President and Mrs. Clinton.
Linda Ronstadt has recorded Hinojosa’s songs among many others. She has recorded with Lucinda Williams, Joan Baez, Dwight Yoakum, Kris Kristofferson, Albert Lee and Nancy Griffith to name just a few. Along the way, Tish has performed with various eminent symphonies throughout the United States. Her albums have been favorites on radio stations around the world, consistently winning critical praise and making annual Top 10 lists both nationally and internationally. Her appeal reaches both Anglo and Hispanic listeners. Since 1996, Tish has forged a separate career as a children's music artist with the release of “Cada Niño” (Every Child) CD and illustrated songbook in Spanish and English. The 2005 release of “A Heart Wide Open” has added to her stature as an American musical treasure.
Official site: http://www.mundotish.com/
By The Rio Grande
Tish Hinojosa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every life runs it's own destiny
Canyons white and wild stretches calm and mild
Cutting through the stones of history
Rio Grande runs south to Mexico
From the highway I have touched its shores
Reynosa to Sante Fe and back the other way
An unbroken chain snow and tears and rain
Cutting through my soul and to my veins
Then the waters rise paint the Rocky Mountain skies
One more circle around the world again
One more year rolls down the Rio Grande
Our forefathers crossed the muddy line
Pilgrims passing leaving tracks in time
One more takes a stand by the water by the land
Shifting like the sand by the Rio Grande
An unbroken chain snow and tears and rain
Cutting through my soul and to my veins
Then the waters rise paint the Rocky Mountain skies
One more circle around the world again
One more year rolls down the Rio Grande
One more circle around the world again
One more year rolls down the Rio Grande
In Tish Hinojosa's song "By The Rio Grande," she sings about the power and influence of the Rio Grande river in her life and the lives of those before her. The first verse acknowledges the universal desire in every living being to find their destiny and purpose, just as every river seeks its way to the vast ocean. The second verse describes her personal connection to the Rio Grande, having touched its shores from Reynosa to Sante Fe and back again. She reflects on how her life has been planned and shaped by the river, recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the Rio Grande in the lives of those who have come before her.
The third verse speaks to the cyclical nature of life and how the Rio Grande mirrors that reality. Hinojosa notes that the river serves as an unbroken chain, carrying the memories, hopes, and struggles of generations from the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico. The final chorus emphasizes this idea of continuity, with each passing year and every lap around the circle of life, the Rio Grande remains a constant force of nature and a symbol of the enduring human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Every river searches for the sea
Just like every river, every individual searches for their destiny.
Every life runs it's own destiny
Each person's life journey is unique and shaped by their own choices and actions.
Canyons white and wild stretches calm and mild
The landscape along the Rio Grande varies between rough, wild terrain and calm, peaceful stretches.
Cutting through the stones of history
The Rio Grande has been a significant landmark in the history of the region it flows through.
Rio Grande runs south to Mexico
The Rio Grande flows in a southerly direction, eventually reaching Mexico.
From the highway I have touched its shores
The songwriter has experienced the Rio Grande firsthand while traveling along the nearby highway.
Reynosa to Sante Fe and back the other way
The songwriter has traveled up and down the Rio Grande, from Reynosa to Sante Fe and back again.
I've had my life planned by the Rio Grande
The river has been a significant factor in shaping the songwriter's life journey.
An unbroken chain snow and tears and rain
The Rio Grande has been an enduring presence throughout history, enduring through all sorts of weather conditions.
Cutting through my soul and to my veins
The Rio Grande has a deep emotional and cultural impact on the songwriter's identity and heritage.
Then the waters rise paint the Rocky Mountain skies
When the river floods, it can have a breathtaking and beautiful impact on the surrounding landscapes.
One more circle around the world again
Just like the river, life is a continuous cycle that repeats itself over and over again.
Our forefathers crossed the muddy line
In the past, many people have crossed the Rio Grande as part of their journeys to new lands.
Pilgrims passing leaving tracks in time
Just like the pilgrims of the past, people continue to leave their marks on the world as they journey through life.
One more takes a stand by the water by the land
The river continues to inspire new generations of people to take a stand for what they believe in.
Shifting like the sand by the Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a dynamic natural feature that is constantly changing over time.
One more year rolls down the Rio Grande
Time marches on, just like the river continues to flow downstream.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TISH HINOJOSA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind