On 16 July 1929 debuted at the "El Retiro" and doing cabaret season at the site, where it was known as "la Peregrino", the Don Emilio Azcarraga Vidaurreta knew who was, along with Enrique Contel, who named her Tona la Negra . Began to be recognized in its interpretation of the song "Enamorada" by Agustin Lara, who also produced for her songs like "Lamento Jarocho", "Veracruz", "Noche Criolla ", "Oración Caribe", "Palmera", "La clave azul "and " La Cumbancha "which appeared together in a music magazine in the Teatro Esperanza in December 1932, with such success that should extend their presentations for a long time.
She also sang for Cuban legends La Sonora Matancera. The alley where she was born in the old barrio of "La Huaca" in the city of Veracruz, México, carries her name. After her death the municipality of Veracruz has erected a statue of Toña la Negra within sight of the old church of Cristo del Buen Viaje (1609) bordering on the La Huaca barrio.
The German film director Christian Baudissin made a documentary about Toña la Negra for television in 1993 with interviews with her ex-husband the musician "Vittillo" Victor Ruiz Pazos and others who knew her.
Noche Criolla
Toña la negra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cuento de pescadores que arrulla el mar
Vibración de cocuyos que con su luz
Bordan de lentejuelas la oscuridad
Bordan de lentejuelas la oscuridad
Noche tropical
Lánguida y sensual
Mientras canta la playa su inútil pena
Noche tropical
Cielo de tisú
Tienes la sombra de una mirada criolla
Noche de Veracruz
Noche de Veracruz
¡Ay-ay!
¡Ay-ay!
Vibración de cocuyos que con su luz
Bordan de lentejuelas la oscuridad
Bordan de lentejuelas la oscuridad
The lyrics of Toña la Negra's "Noche Criolla" evoke a sense of languorous tropical nights, specifically those of Veracruz, as the title suggests. The scene is set with a warm, quiet night by the sea, where the fishermen's tales lull the waves to sleep. The cocuyos (fireflies) add their own touch of magic, embroidering the night with their light, like a starry sky made up of thousands of glittering sequins. The tropical night is described as sensual, even seductive, the sort of night that fades away into the sand while the beach sings of its own futility. The shadows cast by the night are imbued with the essence of "mirada criolla" (Creole gaze), which may refer to the eye shape of the people of Veracruz or the cultural mix of Spanish, African and Indigenous peoples who live there.
To the singer, the tropical night is a time for rest and reflection, for enjoying the beauty of nature and the company of loved ones. However, there may also be a hint of melancholy here, as the beach's "inútil pena" (useless grief) suggests that the night may be weighed down by unfulfilled dreams or unrequited desires. In any case, the song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a tropical night in all its glory, with all its scents, sounds, and colors.
Line by Line Meaning
Noche tibia y callada de Veracruz
This is a warm and quiet night in Veracruz.
Cuento de pescadores que arrulla el mar
This is a tale told by fishermen, who lull the sea.
Vibración de cocuyos que con su luz
The fireflies are lighting up the darkness with their glow,
Bordan de lentejuelas la oscuridad
embroidering the darkness with sequins.
Noche tropical
This is a tropical night
Lánguida y sensual
It is slow and sensual,
Noche que se desmaya sobre la arena
This is a night that is slowly fading away on the sand,
Mientras canta la playa su inútil pena
As the beach sings its sad songs for no reason.
Cielo de tisú
The sky is like a delicate fabric,
Tienes la sombra de una mirada criolla
It has the shadow of a Creole glance,
Noche de Veracruz
This is a night in Veracruz.
¡Ay-ay!
This is an expression of sadness or longing.
Vibración de cocuyos que con su luz
The fireflies are lighting up the darkness with their glow,
Bordan de lentejuelas la oscuridad
embroidering the darkness with sequins.
Writer(s): Agustin Lara
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cesar Cerda
I love her music.!! Makes me feel like dancing at 88 years old.
Frederick Gates
Me to, Sir
Cesar Alvaro Vidal
Una voz con sentimiento, amor, inolvidable llena de amor y verdad.....Gracias mi querida Toña....
tanque1973
Que voz, señora mis respetos, mi padre porteño, jarocho, el Gran puerto de Veracruz
María Rascón
Dulzura garantizada, melodiosa voz mexicana.
Maria Lambert
Nadie como Toña la Negra con su voz sedosa y cadenciosa. Desde niña la admiro.
Leo Ramz Tvr
Qué maravilla de voz y de sentimiento.
Medusawithglasses
Negra Adorada, inigualable, Gigantesca, negra eterna <3
Ninita Rivero
ETERNA TOÑA PARA SIEMPRE
Jorge Delucio
Tona la negra tiene una voz que canta con delicado bouquet musical...simple mental es fantastica...