There's a Valley in Spain called Jarama (Song)

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This Republican song refers to the Battle of Jarama, a Spanish Civil War battle, fought from 6-27 February 1937, in the valley of the Jarama river a few kilometres east of Madrid. The seasoned troops of Franco's Army of Africa fought the inexperienced and ill-equipped volunteers of the XV International Brigade, who suffered heavy casualties. It ended in stalemate.

The song laments International Brigade losses: the tune is Red River Valley. The lyrics were said to have been written by Glaswegian Alex McDade, who was killed in action at the Battle of Brunete (6-25 July 1937). The song is also known as Jarama Valley and El Valle del Jarama.

[edit] British Battalion version

There’s a Valley in Spain called Jarama,

It’s a place that we all know so well,

It is there that we gave of our manhood,

And most of our brave comrades fell.

We are proud of the British Battalion,

And the stand for Madrid that they made,

For they fought like true sons of the soil.

As part of the Fifteenth Brigade.

With the rest of the international column,

In the stand for the freedom of Spain

We swore in the valley of Jarama

That fascism never will reign.

Now we’ve left that dark valley of sorrow

And its memories of regret,

So before we continue this reunion

Let us stand to our glorious dead.

[edit] Jarama Valley / El Valle del Jarama

This version of the song - with variant versions[1] - became an anthem for American volunteers in the International Brigades, particularly those in the Abraham Lincoln Battalion. Pete Seeger has recorded it. In addition to the Spanish translation below, El Valle del Jarama, other Spanish variants also exist[2].

Jarama Valley

There's a valley in Spain called Jarama
It's a place that we all love so well
It was there that we gave of our manhood
Where so many of our brave comrades fell.

We are proud of the Lincoln Battalion
And the fight for Madrid that it made
There we fought like true sons of the people
As part of the Fifteenth Brigade.

Now we're far from that valley of sorrow
But its memory we ne'er will forget
So before we conclude this reunion
Let us stand to our glorious dead.

El Valle del Jarama

Hay un valle en España llamado Jarama
es un lugar que nosotros conocemos bien.
Fue allí donde dimos nuestra virilidad
y donde cayeron nuestros valientes camaradas.

Estamos orgullosos del Batallón Lincoln
y de la lucha que hizo por Madrid.
Allí luchamos como verdaderos hijos del pueblo
como parte de la Quince Brigada.

Ahora estamos lejos de aquel valle de dolor
pero su memoria nunca olvidaremos;
Así que antes de que continuemos esta reunión
pongámonos en pie por nuestros gloriosos muertos.