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"
 


 I heard Woodrow Wilson's guns
 I heard them in the harbor
 Saying, "Veracruz is dying"