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/
Something In The Rain
Tish Hinojosa Lyrics
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I don't know how many years
I'm just a boy but I know how
And go to school when work is slow
We have seen our country's roads
Bakersfield to Illinois
And when troubles come our way
There's something wrong with little sister
I hear her crying by my side
Mama's shaking as she holds her
We try to hold her through the night
And Mom says, ?Close you eyes, mijito
Dream of someplace far from here
Like the pictures in your schoolbooks
Someday you can take us there?
There must be something in the rain
I'm not sure just what that means
Abuelita talks of sins of man
Of dust that's in our hands
There must be something in the rain
Well, what else could cause this pain
Those airplanes cure the plants so things can grow
Oh no, it must be something in the rain
Little sister's gone away
Mama's working long again
And me, I think I understand
About our life, about our land
Well, talkers talk and dreamers dream
I will find a place between
I'm afraid but I believe
That we can change these hurting fields
'Cause there's something in the rain
But there's more here in our hands
'Buelita's right about the sins of man
Who's profits rape the land
And the rains are pouring down
From the growers to the towns
And until we break the killing chains
There's something in the rain
In "Something in the Rain," Tish Hinojosa sings about the struggles of a working-class family living in rural America. The lyrics describe the daily grind of working the fields, going to school, and coping with illness and poverty. The singer, a young boy, and his family have spent countless years traveling across the country, from Bakersfield to Illinois, in search of work. Despite their hardships, the family is deeply connected to the land and has a strong faith that sustains them during difficult times. The singer's mother tells him to dream of a better future, one depicted in the pictures in his schoolbooks, and promises that they will someday find a way to get there. The song's title, "Something in the Rain," suggests a deeper, mystical force at work, perhaps a metaphorical stand-in for the harsh realities of life that the family faces daily.
Hinojosa's song takes a critical look at the ways in which corporations and profit-driven agriculture have damaged the land and impacted the lives of working-class families. The lyrics suggest that there is something in the air, the water, the soil, that is causing people to suffer, from illness to financial ruin. Yet, there is hope amidst the hardships that the family encounters. The singer promises to find a way to improve their situation, to break the "killing chains," and avert the sins of man. In many ways, "Something in the Rain" is both a poignant portrayal of the difficulties encountered by rural working-class people and an inspiring call to action.
Line by Line Meaning
Mom and Dad have worked the fields
My parents have spent countless years working in the fields to provide for our family.
I don't know how many years
I am not sure how many years my parents have spent working in the fields.
I'm just a boy but I know how
Although I am just a young boy, I understand the hard work and dedication it takes to work the fields.
And go to school when work is slow
I attend school when there is not much work to be done in the fields.
We have seen our country's roads
We have traveled on many roads across the country.
Bakersfield to Illinois
We have traveled from Bakersfield, California to Illinois.
And when troubles come our way
When challenges arise, we face them head on.
Oh yeah, I've seen my daddy pray
My father turns to prayer in times of trouble.
There's something wrong with little sister
My sister is experiencing some sort of health issue.
I hear her crying by my side
I can hear my sister's cries as she lies next to me.
Mama's shaking as she holds her
My mother is visibly upset as she cares for my sister.
We try to hold her through the night
We do our best to comfort my sister through the night.
And Mom says, ?Close you eyes, mijito
My mother tells me to close my eyes, using the Spanish word 'mijito' as a term of endearment.
Dream of someplace far from here
My mother encourages me to imagine a place far away from our current reality.
Like the pictures in your schoolbooks
My mother references the images I see in my school textbooks.
Someday you can take us there?
My mother dreams of a future where I can take our family to this faraway place.
There must be something in the rain
I believe that there is something about the rain that has an impact on our lives.
I'm not sure just what that means
I am uncertain about what that impact might be.
Abuelita talks of sins of man
My grandmother discusses the negative actions of humanity.
Of dust that's in our hands
She also talks about the dirt and grime that is constantly present in our lives.
Well, what else could cause this pain
I wonder what else could be causing our family's suffering.
Those airplanes cure the plants so things can grow
The airplanes are used to spray pesticides so that crops can grow and thrive.
Oh no, it must be something in the rain
Despite the usefulness of the airplanes, I still believe that the rain has something to do with our troubles.
Little sister's gone away
My sister has passed away.
Mama's working long again
My mother is once again working long hours.
And me, I think I understand
I believe that I finally comprehend the difficulties our family has faced.
About our life, about our land
I am starting to understand the implications of growing up in this environment.
Well, talkers talk and dreamers dream
Many people only talk or dream about changing things for the better.
I will find a place between
I am determined to find a way to bring about meaningful change.
I'm afraid but I believe
I am scared of the potential challenges, but I have faith in my abilities.
That we can change these hurting fields
I am hopeful that we can transform our current reality and make things better for future generations.
'Cause there's something in the rain
I am still convinced that rain is a key factor in our struggles.
But there's more here in our hands
Despite this, I also believe that we have the power to change our circumstances with our own two hands.
'Buelita's right about the sins of man
My grandmother was right about the negative impacts of humanity on our environment.
Who's profits rape the land
Those who prioritize profits over the health of the land and its people are doing great harm.
And the rains are pouring down
The rain continues to fall heavily.
From the growers to the towns
The impacts of the growers' actions are felt throughout the entire community.
And until we break the killing chains
Until we are able to break free of the destructive practices that harm both people and land, our struggles will continue.
There's something in the rain
I remain convinced that the rain is a key part of our challenges.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TISH HINOJOSA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind