h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

this is a question i've been DYING to have answered for the longest time...
could someone please tell me what fernando is all about?
i know at least three people who would love to know..

(and everytime i've posted anything, which hasn't been a lot i admit i've been completely ignored, so could someone PLEASE reply?!!)

fernando became a huge success everyone breathed it masses turned madly romantic an atmosphere of magic was created teenagers yelled others screamed violently whenever abba"s any in particular fernando filled the surroundings of colleges universities homes cafes

I think 'Fernando' is set in the Mexican Civil War (apparently Benny and Bjorn have confirmed this). The Line 'I can still recall the fateful night we crossed the Rio Grande' is more or less the only line in the song that hints at a location or context, so it's not surprising that people are a bit confused about the whole 'love/stars/gunfire' thing.

I think the song just tells the story of the love between two young people at the time, presumably participants in the fighting - or maybe he fought and she went with him; the song doesn't really go into detail on that.

Datewise, the Mexican Civil War (also known as the War of the Reform) lasted between 1858 and 1861 - if you want to find out a bit more about it.

This is based on a quick bit of faffing about on Google, which also revealed that you aren't the only person who has asked this question - it was on a forum on the Abba site as well!

It's a great song.

well thank you!