Julio Y La Sierra

Once I went to the sierra
To the Michoacan sierra
To take care of a job
In that town of Arteaga
I needed a guide
And someone to watch my back.

A trusted friend
Soon introduced me to three
Two men and a kid
And he asked me, what do you think?
They are the best I have
Which one do you choose from the three.

The kid was looking at me
To see who I would pick
The men were armed
Their machetes gleamed
In their red sashes
You could see the guns.

All three in white pants
With calm looks
Wide-brimmed hats
Rubber sandals for soles
I chose the kid
Who should have been in school.

He carried a machete
Short and leather sheath
His name was Julio Sanchez
He was eleven years old back then
He knew the sierra so well
Like a cowboy knows his lasso.

Julio served as my guide
And watched over me
Once while I was sleeping
They tried to make firewood out of me
That's when the kid showed
He was made of good wood.

There was plenty of feasting
Up in the sierra
The vultures feasted
And now I'm here in my land
I gave Julio ten thousand dollars
To pay for his schooling.