La Sandunga is a joyful yet heartfelt serenade that springs from the vibrant culture of Oaxaca, Mexico, even though this rendition comes from Japan’s TEMPUS QUARTET. The singer calls for the famous tune “Sandunga” to be played, proudly announcing his own name—Máximo Ortiz—and pouring out affection for a dazzling Tehuana woman. Every exclamation of ¡Ay madre por Dios! and ¡Ay Sandunga! mixes devotion, nostalgia, and a dash of playful drama, as he recounts traveling over thorns just to gaze into her “divine eyes.”
Behind the catchy chorus lies a simple story: love so intense it makes you sing, cry, and cross any obstacle. By invoking local icons like the Tehuana dress and the clavel (carnation), the lyrics celebrate Oaxacan identity while reminding us that music can carry feelings across oceans and cultures. TEMPUS QUARTET’s version preserves that passionate spirit, inviting you to sway, sigh, and maybe even shout ¡Sandunga! right along with them.