Music and dancing were daily evening entertainment even in the California wilderness of the 1800s. Recently I heard on the radio the song “La Bamba,” made popular in 1958 by Ritchie Valens who sang it to a rock beat. Since it’s a Mexican folk song that originated in Veracruz, the Californios in the 1800s probably sang it during their dances, known as fandangos. The lyrics fit the story line for one of my chapters perfectly. Here is part of the refrain:
“Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán,
Soy capitán, soy capitán.”
When the commandant’s daughter María Antonia and Captain Richardson meet, this song is played at the evening dance. Here is the translation:
“I am not a sailor, I am the captain.”
The words seemed ideal for the scene of them getting to know each other.