Que Me Entierren Con La Banda

Antonio Aguilar's 'Que Me Entierren Con La Banda' is a vibrant expression of a life lived with gusto and a desire to maintain that spirit even in death. The song, which translates to 'Bury Me with the Band,' is a testament to the Mexican tradition of celebrating life and facing death with a sense of festivity and defiance. Aguilar, a beloved figure in Mexican ranchera music, was known for his powerful voice and charismatic performances, which often celebrated the rural life of the Mexican cowboy, or charro.

The lyrics of 'Que Me Entierren Con La Banda' reject the somberness typically associated with funerals ('Que no me anden con lutitos / Que es purita propaganda') and instead call for a celebration with a banda, a type of Mexican brass-based music. Aguilar's persona in the song wants to depart this world as he lived in it: with joy, music, and surrounded by friends. The repeated mention of 'Al tranco de un buen caballo' (At the pace of a good horse) and 'Y al son de la balacera' (And to the sound of gunfire) evokes the image of a lively and perhaps rebellious spirit, unafraid of danger and always ready for a good time.

The song also touches on themes of risk-taking and living in the moment ('Me gusta rifar mi suerte / Y jugarme hasta la vida'), suggesting a philosophy of seizing the day and enjoying life's pleasures, such as companionship, music, and love. The festive atmosphere is further emphasized with the mention of 'diez cajas de cerveza' (ten cases of beer) and the company of a cherished woman. Aguilar's message is clear: life is fleeting ('la vida se va amigos, hay que gozarla'), and one should embrace it fully, with the same passion one would want to be remembered by after death.