I heard Woodrow Wilson's guns I heard Maria crying Late last night I heard the news That Veracruz was dying Veracruz was dying Someone called Maria's name I swear it was my father's voice Saying, "If you stay you'll all be slain You must leave now - you have no choice Take the servants and ride west Keep the child close to your chest When the American troops withdraw Let Zapata take the rest" I heard Woodrow Wilson's guns I heard Maria calling Saying, "Veracruz is dying And Cuernavaca's falling" Aquel dia yo jure (On that day I swore) Hacia el puerto volvere (To the port I will return) Aunque el destino cambio mi vida (Even though destiny changed my life) En Veracruz morire (In Veracruz I shall die) Aquel dia yo jure (On that day I swore) I heard Woodrow Wilson's guns I heard them in the harbor Saying, "Veracruz is dying"