Al Tambor, sweet, simple and happy

We live in the surrounds of Music City so it should be no surprise to hear me say that people here sing. It’s genetic. Even at the most casual of gatherings the instruments come out (and sometimes it’s just spoons and a harmonica) and everyone from the most unassuming soccer mom to the most sad-sack old guy belts it out. I’ve heard better voices on people at potlucks than on the radio. At times I have fantasized about getting a voice coach just so I can do more than clap.
But no. This Mami can’t sing. Even 15 years among the natives hasn’t helped.
And while Maria has of late begun to make up songs and sing about whatever she’s doing – “We’re going to eat and then my Mami’s going to give me milk’’ or “I love to jump, I love to jump, I love to jump!’’ – it appears the little one may not be winning an Academy of Country Music Award either.
But, bless her for singing. It’s a blast to hear her and while the two of us sound like a chorus of injured frogs, we sing all day.
The last few days we’ve been singing Al Tambor. The truth according to Google says it is a Panamanian song. We first heard it on a Jose-Luis Orozco CD. I love it. It is a sweet, fun and simple song and you change the name according to the audience.
Everybody now:

“Al tambor, al tambor, al tambor de la alegría,
Yo quiero que tú me lleves al tambor de la alegría.
Al tambor, al tambor, al tambor de la alegría,
Yo quiero que tú me lleves al tambor de la alegría.
Maria o Maria, Maria amiga mía,
Yo quiero que tú me lleves al tambor de la alegría.
Al tambor, al tambor, al tambor de la alegría,
Yo quiero que tú me lleves al tambor de la alegría.”