ABBAのＦｅｒｎａｎｄｏ

前回、私が最近涙が出そうになるほど感動した曲があると書きましたが、それはＡＢＢＡの"Fernando"。流行ったのは1976年、私が大学１年のときでした。
もちろん、当時もいい曲だと思っていたことは記憶していますが、歌詞はまったく理解していませんでした。
今年の夏にテレビでＡＢＢＡの特集があり、すっかり自分のなかで再燃してしまいました。持っていたＣＤをiPod shuffleに入れたり、ＤＶＤを買ったり…　たくさんの懐かしい曲で若い頃を思い出し、よく考えるとＡＢＢＡのこの４人は自分よりも年上なんだなあとか、感慨にふけってしまいました。
さて、この"Fernando"の歌詞は次のとおりで、おそらく1846〜48年のアメリカ・メキシコ戦争で自由のために戦ったFernandoという人物のことを題材にしたものと思われます。

Can you hear the drums Fernando? I remember long ago another starry night like this.
In the firelight Fernando, you were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar.
I could hear the distant drums and sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar.
　
They were closer now Fernando, every hour every minute seemed to last eternally.
I was so afraid Fernando, we were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die.
And I'm not ashamed to say the roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry.
　
There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando.
They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Fernando.
Though we never thought that we could lose, there's no regret.
If I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando.
If I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando.
　
Now we're old and grey Fernando, since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand.
Can you hear the drums Fernando? Do you still recall the fateful night we crossed the Rio Grande?
I can see it in your eyes how proud you were to fight for freedom in this land.
　
There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando.
They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Fernando.
Though we never thought that we could lose, there's no regret.
If I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando.
　
There was something in the air that night. The stars were bright, Fernando.
They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Fernando.
Though we never thought that we could lose, there's no regret.
If I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando.
Yes, if I had to do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando.

この歌詞の美しい描写とともに、特に「私たちは若くて、だれ一人死ぬ心づもりをしていなかった」、「負けるとは思っていなかったが、後悔しない。同じことが起きたら、きっと同じようにする」というところに心打たれました。
50台半ばになって、ちょっと気弱になっているのかな。自分ではまだまだ若い、と思っているのですが…