Marie Flores - I Love My New Home

Marie Flores

 For those of you that follow Big And Tall Records, you may be wondering where Delmar Gentry hasbeen. He's been busy on his new ranch, dealing with his horses and meeting all kinds of new people and musicians. He's been working on some new songs that he says will be coming out soon, but in the mean time he's been convincing and working with his cook/housekeeper at the ranch, Marie Flores, to record a song. Delmar tells us about it:

Shortly after I sealed  the deal for the ranch, I overheard Marie as she worked in the kitchen. She was singing a Mexican song in Spanish of course, and as my knowledge of Spanish is sparse, I couldn't understand all the words. But the quality of her voice made quite an impression on me. She was singing softly as to not be heard, but it was a voice that had an interesting carrying power to it even at such a low volume. She was embarrassed  when she caught me listening to her, and immediately stopped singing, and refused to continue no matter how much I urged her on. So I made it a point to walk softly, and I found her singing many more times in the same sweet voice that betrayed a certain richness and power to it. 

It took much coaxing over the next two months to persuade her to let me work with her to created an original song for her to record. It was definitely a group effort, as she contributed some of the melody and lyrics. We worked with other musicians to flesh out the song. Even Amos Carter, my Chief Ranch Hand and double bass player contributed a steady bass line in a nice rhythm. It took us many takes in my studio before Marie was comfortable enough to give the quality of singing I knew she could, but after that, it came down to five takes, any of them could have been used. The result is I Love My New Home, a song about coming to America, and becoming a legal citizen. She insisted on my participation on the piano. I was a little taken aback by the lyrics about me, but she insisted on including them as well. She came to this country when she was 14 years old with her family of 3 brothers and a sister. She did finally admit to me that she had some voice training in the church when still in Mexico, and she said her family is all musically inclined.She is a very special woman, keeps the household at the ranch running smooth as silk. Does most of the cooking, and makes some of the most delicious food I've ever eaten! She's not only an expert with Mexican cuisine, but can cook good old American fare as well.

We suggested that Delmar be listed as the presenter in the title, Delmar Gentry Presents -  but he refused. This was her moment to shine, he said. Delmar produced, and recorded it in the new home studio he installed out at his ranch in Flagstaff, AZ. Marie insisted on keeping a few Spanish words and phrases in the lyrics, as well as her Mexican accent in some of the pronunciations of words.

I remember sky so blue, Mi Patria

Of the traditions, way it used to be. 

We come to this country many years time past 

To be prosperous, and free. 

 

There is always a danger present 

That will try to take it away 

Although I love the mother country, 

I don’t want to stray. 

 

 I came from México, work hard as I can, 

To be a good American and not abuse it 

Took a long time, but I now belong here 

I have the papers, to prove it! 

 

I love my Mexicano Patrimonio 

It will always be part of me 

But I love my new home, 

I don't want to roam, 

Is part of me as well, you see. 

 

 I live on rancho de caballos

 I do the cooking, take care of the place 

My bossman, is buen hombre,

 I have a nice easy pace. 

 

 My bossman pays me good,

 He always listens so well, 

Whenever I got problem with job,

 I always can tell. 

 

 I love my Mexicano Patrimonio 

It will always be part of me 

But I love my new home, 

I don't want to roam, 

Is part of me as well,you see.

 

 Sometime when you leave the homeland, 

It’s hard to then fit in. 

With the language, the customs, 

To become a citizen 

 

But to make a living in my homeland 

Become so difficult and hard 

My famalia came here many years ago 

To make a new, clean start.

 

 I love my Mexicano Patrimonio 

It will always be part of me 

But I love my new home, 

I don't want to roam, 

Is part of me as well, you see.

 

Mi Patria - My Homeland

Mexicano Patrimonio - Mexican Heritage

rancho de caballos - horse ranch  

buen hombre - good man

famalia - family