The holiday song that challenged the devil and conquered Colombia.
News Colombia.
In the vastness of the Colombian Caribbean, where music beats to the rhythm of drums and stories are woven with the sea breeze, one of the most emblematic songs of Colombian Christmas was born.
However, behind its cheerful chords and seemingly simple lyrics, hides a kaleidoscope of romance, culture and superstition.
The story of this song takes us back to the 1940s in Ciénaga, Magdalena, a town in the midst of a banana boom.
There, in a corner of this dynamic port, a place emerged called The Trancaowned by the Rodríguez Izquierdo family.
This establishment became an epicenter of socialization, in part thanks to its famous drink: vinola rum, an artisanal liquor inspired by Santander’s gualó, with a special touch of fermented pineapple.
But what really made it vibrate The Tranca It wasn’t just the rum. It was the presence of Lola Hurtado, a young woman whose charisma and beauty captivated everyone, including a troubadour who marked the history of Colombian music: Guillermo Buitrago.
Known as the “Trovador of Magdalena”, Buitrago frequented the place not only for the liquor, but to conquer Lola with his serenades.
From those encounters an immortal song was born. Ron de Vinola is an ode to festive gatherings, unrequited love and the joyful spirit of a time that still endures in the December holidays of Colombia.
When music faced myth
However, in some regions of the country, Vinola Rum It was not always well received. In cities like Ibagué, the song was wrapped in a halo of mystery that combined local folklore with fear of the unknown.
The most famous legend associates the song with the missing Baltazar club, where, according to stories, a night of partying ended in tragedy.
They say that a mysterious man, with a supernatural air, danced to the beat of Vinola Rum until his true identity was revealed: It was the Devil himself, and his presence unleashed chaos.
This myth became a moral warning, a story that older people told young people to avoid the temptation of “sinful” parties. In the collective imagination, the song remained linked to danger, although its popularity never waned.
One of the most listened to songs in December
Despite the legends, Vinola Rum It remains one of the most beloved melodies during the end of the year festivities in Colombia.
Guillermo Buitrago, who died at the age of 29, left a musical legacy that has passed generations, popularizing vallenato throughout the country and consolidating itself as a reference for traditional music.
@periodicoelcolombiano I like it, I like it, I like it 🎶 This is the story of Ron de Vinola, Guillermo Buitrago’s great song. #Colombia #colombiandecember ♬ original sound – El Colombiano
Today, Vinola Rum It is much more than a song. It is a testament to how music can capture the essence of a time, a place and a feeling.
So when you listen to it this December, remember the history behind his verses: the troubadour in love, the beauty of Lola, the taste of artisanal rum and the legends that shrouded her in mystery.
