by Ahly Titchener

Spanish folk meets Native American Style Flute

Fran, from San Francisco USA wrote to us as soon as he received his flute – enamoured. 

Testimonial:

Dear Southern Cross Flutes team

I wanted to let you know that your beautiful B-Minor Drone Flute made it to San Francisco safe & sound. I’m really in awe with the instrument. I love the sound it produces & how beautifully it’s been crafted. Truly a one of a kind piece.

Thank you for creating these instruments. They’re a gift to the world and the vibration of the human soul.

I’m very happy to be a part of your musical family now 🙂

Warm wishes from San Francisco,

Fran

Another email followed shortly after; inspired by his Native American Flute, he wanted to share a song that he’d just composed. It’s a glorious cross-fusion of folk-Spanish and Native American Flute that I’d love to hear more of. Definitely worth checking out!

The song is titled ‘Yayaku Tocoy Soncoyyan’ and it means “I pray with my heart” in Quechua.

Yayaku Tocoy Soncoyyan

The lyrics are in Quechua and Spanish, so Fran kindly provided a back translation for reference:

Lyrics:

(Verse I)
Our father who art in heaven. Our mother, who art in the soil. Listen to this prayer. Weather the storm by my side.

(Chorus)
Grandparents, remind me of the four elements: water, earth, fire and wind. May you all heal me from within. Yayaku Tocoy Soncoyyan (I pray with my heart.)

(Verse II)
Fire, burn this fear. Wind, lift my remorse. Give water to the thirsty. It’s earth that sustains all of us.

(Chorus)
Grandparents, remind me of the four elements: water, earth, fire and wind. May you all heal me from within. Yayaku Tocoy Soncoyyan (I pray with my heart.)

(Verse III)
Brother sun. Full moon, my sister, cure me. There is hope in the light of a far-away star. There is healing in the shine of a hurt soul. There is redemption if your inner honesty is finally heard.

(Chorus)
Grandparents, remind me of the four elements: water, earth, fire and wind. May you all heal me from within. Yayaku Tocoy Soncoyyan (I pray with my heart)

Original Song by Fran Guijarro
Vocals: Jenny Rodríguez & Fran Guijarro
Guitar and Flute: Fran Guijarro
Charango: Eddy Navia
Violin: Mads Tolling
Percussion: Raúl Vargas
Bass & Sound Mix: Ben Hicks

Recorded at Disher Sound. San Francisco, 2020.