Le Mano De Dios

The best (only?) song about Maradona ever written?

The best (only?) song about Maradona, that Maradona has sung himself - about himself - ever written?

Incredible.

Here is a rough translation* of the lyrics which I have tried to make sensible (sacrificing syllable counts):

\\

Le Mano De Dios [The Hand of God]

Born in a hamlet,

By the will of God

He survived and flourished.

Enduring hardships,

His humble composure

Expressed his desire to win, to build a life,

With every kick

Forged in the pastures,

He inherited immortality;

Thirst, ambition to arrive, to prove himself

burned within him -

To devote his life

To the World Cup Dream

And use his fame

To rescue his family from poverty

GREAT DIEGO!

(For the largest in the world eh?) [that’s a fat joke]

[repeat first two verses]

Soon he would debut

Marado, Marado

The twelve other men [in the Argentine squad] chanted

Marado, Marado

His dream was favoured by the stars;

Blessed with goals and winged feet

And all the people sang -

Marado, Marado

The Hand of God was born

Marado, Marado

Joy spread through the towns

Watered this dry land with glory

(For the world's number one!)

His shoulders were destined to bear a Cross:

To be the best -

Yet never safe in greatness

To be confronted

With unusual temptations.

If Jesus stumbled,

How could Maradona not?

Fame presented him with a white woman - [I think this might be a cocaine reference]

A mysterious flavor

And forbidden pleasure -

With her habit to desire,

And, fulfilled, desire again,

The temptations that stain a man’s life -

But on one day, for one match

Diego was a champion.

[Repeat Chorus]

Olé olé olé olé

Diego, Diego

Olé olé olé olé

Diego, Diego

Olé olé olé olé

Diego, Diego

Olé olé olé olé

Diego, Diego

Olé olé olé olé

Diego Diego

Soon he would debut

Marado, Marado

The twelve other men chanted

Marado, Marado

His dream was favoured by the stars;

Full of goals and winged feet

And all the people sang -

Marado, Marado

The Hand of God was born

Marado, Marado

He planted the seed of Joy in the slum

And he watered this dry land with glory

I love you Diegooooo!

//

In a lot of ways Maradona is a bit of a villain in the eyes of recent generations of English, but his story, and the song that has been written about it, is a classic example of folk heroism and the glorification of folk heroes in song. The song elevates Maradona into a mythic position; his life is bound up with destiny and superstition, and the ability to provide salvation. Perhaps it's par for the course in such a heavily Catholic country, but he's even compared to Christ. He's also really, really good at football.

What a great song. We need more songs like this. What's going on with your stage set though Rodrigo? Why are you dressed as a boxer? Why is there a boxing ring on stage behind you? Either gigs are a lot different in Latin America, or you are just really weird.

This is also a really good film about him, which gives you a real insight into the man, his trials and his glories, then and now: Maradona by Kusturica.

This is more about Rodrigo, who died ten years ago in murky circumstances: His Wikipedia Page

*If you speak Spanish and can be bothered, I would really like to know what the lyrics mean more accurately.