Al Norte by Ricardo Naipes recorded in Southwest Detroit.

I know a little about this song and video. A friend of mine who knows Ricardo and played one of the guitar tracks on the song introduced me to this song a few weeks ago and told me a bit about the lyrics that are in Spanish if you haven't figured that out yet.  

The song is about the heartbreak of leaving your family behind in Mexico who sacrificed so you could risk everything in the desert to come to the North to try to make a better life, but how the people there treat you without honor and squash your efforts but you have to persevere to make some happiness.   

I grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan about 10 miles away from where this video was made in Southwest Detroit.  I have to admit before I saw this video and heard what the song was about I never really thought much about how the Mexicans who made their way into the USA and Al Norte to Detroit as undocumented people to find work and somehow build a better life might actually regret leaving their family behind in Mexico, but duh.  of course anyone would.

Anyhow, I have spent a good deal of my free time the last couple weeks learning the song in Spanish. I hope to get a chance to belt this one out with my band sometime in the next few months if for no reason than to make people wonder why an old white guy would do that.  Enjoy the song, video and lyrics. And keep in mind Ricardo made this song before the rise of Trump as a politician.    

Sálvate del calor los cerros y el dolor pa' librar la pobreza y pa' vivir mejor. Te tratan sin valor Y critican tu voz Todos somos esclavos y aguantar es tu obligación. Vienes dejando atrás un hogar, el amor de una familia que todo te dobrigo y poder trabajar y sonar en un mundo algo mejor. Y preguntas porque vivo arriesgándome una razón se convertirían en mil, no hay respuestas, solo llantos porque al norte llegue a medio vivir. Pasas hambre y ardor sin comunicación pisotean tus esfuerzos y el llorar no es la solución. Es difícil pensar con tu familia atrás sin poder hacer nada si no estás allá tenemos que luchar por ganar algo de felicidad. y preguntas porque vivo arriesgándome una razón se convertirían en mil no hay respuestas, solo llantos porque al norte llegue a medio vivir. porque vivo arriesgándome una razón se convertirían en mi no hay respuestas, solo llantos porque al norte llegue a medio vivir.