Adelita

In the High Sierras, camped were the soldiers And a young soldada who valiantly fought Side by side with Francisco Villa Adelita Far from my home now, a Texacan soldier It's not for fortune or risk to the battlefield I fight I fell in love with Adelita with my very soul We'll stand in arms this night She said, "Johnny, if I should die in battle And my body be left in the Sierranea My love, my love, in God's name Fight on, and remember me That my blood will not have been spilled in vain" On horseback, a carbine full and at her side Over her blouse, cartridges filled her bandoleras Side by side, into battle we rode, Villistas My Adelita We met the enemy in the Zamoran mountains From their bullets, many of our soldiers died And wounded, I lay fallen with my comrades As Adelita stood above us Firing her rifle 'til the gunpowder turned her hand black And the sky was blue, 'neath the cannon the earth trembled Watched as a bullet pierced my love's side She fell amidst the brothers and sisters Smoke and empty sky in her eyes Adelita, my love, Adelita, my wife Adelita, my comrade, my life They'll remember your name when freedom fills the Sierranea I'll remember the warmth of your skin against mine I lay in the mountains with the campesinos My mind at peace from the vows I've made I know I'll never see Texas again Your portrait I carry deep in my breast pocket My rifle firing into the campaña, I ride with you 'round my heart Protected from this death by beauty