Marcos & la Guagua

Guaguer@s Estimad@s,

At a screening of the film, Saint of 9/11, Brendan Fay, one of the film's producers, gave me a prayer card with a picture of Father Mychal Judge on the front, and this text on the back: 

Lord, 
Take me where you want me to go, 
Let me meet who you want me to meet, 
Tell me what you want me to say, 
And keep me out of your way. 

That was Mychal’s Prayer, his personal mantra. 

I taped it to the outside of my apartment door. 

For years, I would utilize the card as a reminder as I rushed out the door. The card taught me the discipline to pray in the midst of busyness and tumult. I would pause, touch the card, look at Father Mychal, say his prayer and then head out onto the streets of New York City with that intention in my heart. I would head out with Mychal’s intention to be available for God to work through me. 

One day, as I paused at the door, I heard the prayer with this melody:

https://youtu.be/1lQmvjjRW30

The first version, in my head, was an old school R&B treatment, inspired by Mychal’s charisma. Horace Beasley, my mentor, voice coach and accompanist, brought it more clearly to a Gospel treatment. I think that was the right approach, ‘cause if Mychal’s life wasn’t Gospel, I don’t know what the Gospel is.

For a lot of New Yorker's, September is a time to remember. Pastor Heidi Nuemark invited me to perform the song at TLCofNYC.org on a recent sunday as an expression of Marcos and la Guagua's residency at Trinity. Gracias pastora. I'm remembering Mychal. Ruega por nosotros antes el Señor San Miguel. We need it...right now.

¡Yo soy Guaguer@!

Peace, Blessings and Thanks for Listening, 

Marcos

Thanks to my dear friend Prof James Nogera for his generous, in depth interview. It was a blessing to tell the story of my music in context.

https://player.fm/series/jim-nog-pod/001-interview-marcos-la-guagua

Peace, Blessings and Thanks for Listening,

Marcos

I am so inspired by the integrity, life work, and candidacy of Bernie Sanders for president, I felt the need to sing about it.

"¡Soy Bernista!" is an original Plena-Cha, based on rhythms of the African heritage of Puerto Rico and Cuba. "¡Soy Bernista!" is a Spanish language anthem for everyone who's ready for a political revolution...and you can dance to it. 

It is made out of love for the beautiful diversity of these United States of America and mi gente latina. I offer this song to the Bernie 2016 movement for not for profit usage. I do reserve a protective copyright against other usage. 

But, if you support Bernie and you like the song please share it, post it, sing it, play it, make videos, add parts, remix it, and dance to it to your hearts content. Lyrics and English translation below

Please include an artist/composer credit and a link to my website when you share. 

In Hopes of Building a Future We Can All Believe in, 

Marcos de Jesús

¡Soy Bernista!
                                    por Marcos de Jesús 
Letra 

Soy Bernista         

Soy Bernista porque quiero a mi pueblo     
Y quiero que mi pueblo no sufra mas. 
Soy Bernista y si unes conmigo      
Nuestro mundo podemos cambiar. 
Soy Bernista y si unes conmigo     
Un mundo mas lindo podemos crear. 

Un futuro con sufficient para todos 
Un futuro con paz y Libertad                                                                            
Con milliones participando 
en una revolución demócrata.     

Soy Bernista     

Los poderos tiene todo el dinero,                 
Pero nosotros toda la solidaridad.                 

Soy Bernista     

                             
soneo      
Lego la hora de decir: 
    Soy Bernista     
(para etc) Los taxistas y los Artistas, 
    Soy Bernista etc 
Mi gente anti-racista, 
Y la vanguardia feminista 
En el este y el oeste 
El candidato de la gente 
Un chamaco de Brooklyn 
Que ha hecho muy bien 
Sin olividar de nostoros     
Digo, gracias a Dios                         

Soy Bernista             

Bernie Está         

Bernie Sanders está con nosotros familia 
¡Pa’ planate!                                     

¡Soy Bernista!
                                    by Marcos de Jesús
lyrics

I’m for Bernie 

I’m for Bernie because I love my people 
And I don’t want my people to suffer anymore. 
I’m for Bernie and if we unite 
We can change the world. 
I’m for Bernie and if we unite 
We can create a more beautiful world. 

A future with enough for all 
 future with peace and liberty                                                                              
With millions participating In a democratic revolution. 

I’m for Bernie 

The powerful have all the money, 
But we have all the solidarity. 
I’m for Bernie 

                             
call and response section 
The time has come to say: 
I’m for Bernie- 
(For etc) taxi drivers and artists 
I’m for Bernie etc 
My anti-racism folk. 
and the Feminist vanguard. 
In the East and the West 
he people’s candidate 
A kid from Brooklyn 
Who has done good 
without forgetting about us 
I say thank God 

I’m for Bernie     

Bernie is here. 

Bernie Sanders is with us, family. 
Forward!                               

"Changed" is the outro from my new EP The Mindgame Aspect, coming soon. Join my email list to download this track today. Then later this year, I'll offer you a free download of the new album before it's available anywhere else.

I'm always eager to hear your thoughts and feelings about my work.

Thanks for Listening,

Marcos

Let’s Make Christmas 
                                                                                    by Marcos de Jesús, copyright 2014 
  
M-A lot of us gotta work 
  
N-            And there’s’a lotta work to get done. 
  
M-Schleping all over town 
  
                        TUTTI-            Sometimes, it’s not even fun. 
  
N-But, it’s Christmas- 
  
M-            And it’s Kwanzaa- 
  
N-And it’s Solstice- 
  
M-            And it’s Chanukah! 
  
TUTTI!                        And if we can believe enough 
                                    These holidays might not be so tough. 
  
  
N-You’re mad at me about something 
  
M-            I’m mad at you ‘bout…I don’t know what! 
  
N-We don’t all get together enough to get stuck in this same old rut. 
  
M-            I’m probably wrong, alright? I’ll admit it. 
  
TUTTI-                       I can confess if you can forgive it. 
  
N-Maybe Gabriel was right, 
  
TUTTI-                                   and there’s nothing to fear… 
                                    All I want for Christmas is Christmas this year. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
working section TUTTI-            Let’s make Christmas! 
  
1a) N- Everything is  perfect at Church each ChrIstmas.            
                                    
                                                Let’s make Christmas! etc 

1b) M- Yeah, no matter HOW many things go wrong. 

2a) N- By the grace of God it's up to you  and me. 

2b) M- Might not be a silent night, in the Bronx, but if that's alright. 

3a) M- Imanuel is coming for dinner 

3b) N- Alright dear, as long as YOU cook. 

4a)M- I don't care if we just tell all the same stories again. 

4b)N- Your Abuelita's stories get better every time. 

5a)M- I'm gon' Feliz Navidad all the way to Reyes, if you’re down for that say yes. 

5b)N-Yes, my love! And we shall light candles for eight sacred nights! 

  
6a)M-And gather to study 7 profound African insights 

6b)M-But, I can't do it alone. 
tutti Jesus was homeless, let's make him a home. 
            
        coda        All I want for Christmas is Christmas rep ad lib 
                        
                        All I want for Christmas is Christmas this year 
  
                        Let’s make Christmas. 
  
                        fine
                       SDG