La Llorona (song)

This article is about the song covered by various artists. For the legend that the song is based on, see La Llorona.

A representation of La Llorona.

"La Llorona" (lit. "The weeping woman") is a Mexican folk song derived from the legend of La Llorona. There are many versions of the song. Its origins are obscure, but, around 1941, composer Andres Henestrosa mentioned hearing the song in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. He popularized the song and may have added to the existing verses.[1]

The legend of La Llorona is often conflated with La Malinche, the Nahua Princess and consort of Hernan Cortes, the conquistador of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. La Llorona of the song drowned her children in a river in a rage at her unfaithful husband. As a spirit, she was condemned to wander the shores of the river forever searching for her dead children. In Latin America the song is associated with the Day of the Dead.

  1. ^ "Andrés Henestrosa: el hombre que dispersó sus sombras". La Jornada.