Fieldwork Archive
Plegaria de intercesión (Tú sola, María)
Performed by Doña Teresita Alonso.
Recorded December 12, 2025 in Barrio San Felipe, León, Nicaragua (acquisition date: December 12, 2025).
Learned from her mother. Ms. Alonso, 96 years of age.
Recorded by Claudio Alexander Urbina on behalf of Derek Piotr.
Having been the soloist in a number of choirs dedicated to singing Marian hymns for church services and celebrations, Doña Teresita Alonso became known as the golden voice of songs for the Purísima (Immaculate Conception) and Nuestra Señora de la Merced (Our Lady of Mercy) celebrations in León, Nicaragua.
She first learned these hymns from her mother, who would take her to church services. Ms. Alonso became a member of her parish choir at the age of eight.
She recounts how her soprano voice used to resound in cathedrals without the use of a microphone.
Now at 96 years of age, the high notes have become more strenuous for her to reach, but she has nonetheless agreed to sing this song.
"Plegaria de intercesión," better known by its incipit "Tú sola, María," was composed by Alejandro Vega Matus.
brillando en el cielo
cual faro precioso
de luz divinal,
nos muestras, oh Madre,
que no es en el suelo
lo tiene nuestra alma
su fin principal.
Tú sólo nos dices
que allá en las alturas
magníficos tronos
ha puesto el Señor
a aquellos que quieren
las glorias futuras,
dejando en el mundo
mentido esplendor.
shining in the sky
like a precious beacon
of divine light,
show us, O Mother,
that it's not on earth
where our soul finds
its principal end.
You alone tell us
that up there in the heights
magnificent thrones
the Lord has placed
for those who desire
future glories,
leaving behind
the world's false splendor.
