ABBA ♪ Fernando

“Fernando” by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson, of ABBA, 1976.

The song describes a couple, in the eve of a war, under a serene starry night. They are afraid, of the bloodshed and death, the destruction of love. But they have no regret of their choices, for liberty.

Can you hear the drums, Fernando?
I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight, Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar

They were closer now, Fernando
Every hour every minute seemed to last eternally

I was so afraid, Fernando
We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die
And I'm not ashamed to say
The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando

Though I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando

Now we're old and grey, Fernando
And since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand
Can you hear the drums, Fernando?
Do you still recall the fateful night we crossed the Rio Grande?
I can see it in your eyes
How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando

Though I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
Though I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando
Yes, if I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando…

The song appears to be set in the context of Mexican Revolution of 1910 , with the singer taking the part of one of the rebels crossing the Rio Grande to fight the Federal troops. (from Wikipedia)

For more info about this song, see: Fernando and also Mexican Revolution of 1910.

Although i love this song so much, and the song is serene and filled with compassion, but i'm not sure about songs of war. One's freedom is another's treason.

Look at USA today, with its obsession of freedom and justice, are massacre people in the Mideast in the tens of thousands, in the name of freedom.

ABBA ♪ Chiquitita

Another beautiful song.