Luna de Xelajú
"Luna de Xelajú" is a very popular Guatemalan waltz, played on marimba or any other instrument or ensemble; it was composed by Paco Pérez.
The title translates as "Moon of Xelajú". "Xelajú" (pronounced sheh-lah-HOO) is the former K'iche' Maya name for the Guatemalan city Quetzaltenango, still often popularly called "Xelajú" or "Xela".
The song was written to Miss Eugenia Cohen, a beautiful Jewish lady who stole the writer's heart, but eventually left him because Eugenia's parents disapproved of the relationship. She lives in Quetzaltenango and Guatemala City to this day.
All of the great marimba bands of Guatemala have played it to great success. Perhaps one of the most popular recent versions is as the first selection of the CD Valses inolvidables de Guatemala, with the Guatemalan Millennium Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Dieter Lehnhoff.
A fairly notorious rendition by amateur musician Jared Smith was made famous by its use in the "software toy" Jared: Butcher of Song.
Song Lyrics
Although the marimba is often played alone, the song has lyrics accompanying it.
Sheet music
- Piano arrangement of Luna de Xelaju by Alberto Betancourt
- Piano performance of Luna de Xelaju by Alberto Betancourt with his own arrangement