“It Is My Pleasure“
Style: Regional Mexican, mariachi love song of the 20th century. The lyrics declare that love is a pleasure that none but God can take away. Sung by many including Antonio Aguilar, Vicente Fernández, and more.
Country: Mexico
Listen: YouTube
Lyrics Translation:
Mi gusto es,
¿Y quién me lo quitará?
Solamente Dios del cielo me lo quita.
Mi gusto es...
It is my pleasure,
And who will take it from me?
Only God in Heaven could take it.
It is my pleasure…
…El amarte, jovencita,
Topen eso, topen eso,
Que, al cabo, mi gusto es.
…Loving you, young lady,
[The rest of you] try to topple this, just try,
Because, after all, it is my pleasure.
Mi gusto es,
¿Y quién me lo quitará?
Solamente Dios del cielo me lo quita.
Mi gusto es.
It is my pleasure,
And who will take it from me?
Only God in Heaven could take it.
It is my pleasure.
Aunque me den de balazos,
Topen eso, topen eso
Que, al cabo, mi gusto es.
Even if they hit me with bullets,
[Let them] try to topple this, just try
Because, after all, it is my pleasure.
Pero, chiquitita,
Yo te he de seguir amando,
Mi gusto es.
Pero, chiquitita,
Yo te he de seguir los pasos,
A dónde estés.
But, little one,
I will continue to love you,
It is my pleasure.
But, little one,
I will continue to follow your steps,
Wherever you may be.
Aunque me den de balazos,
Topen eso, topen eso
Que, al cabo, mi gusto es.
Even if they hit me with bullets,
[Let them] try to topple this, just try
Because, after all, it is my pleasure.
Ay, mi vida,
Te he de seguir amando
Hasta la muerte.
Oh, my love,
I will continue loving you
Until death.
Pero, chiquitita,
Yo te he de seguir amando,
Mi gusto es.
Pero, chiquitita,
Yo te he de seguir los pasos,
A dónde estés.
But, little one,
I will continue to love you,
It is my pleasure.
But, little one,
I will continue to follow your steps,
Wherever you may be.
Hasta allá voy, mi amor,
Aunque me den de balazos,
Topen eso, topen eso
Que, al cabo, mi gusto es.
I go even there, my love,
Even if they hit me with bullets,
[Let them] try to topple this, just try,
Because, in the end, it is my pleasure.
Translation Notes:
“Mi Gusto Es” is a classic regional Mexican song composed by Alfonso Esparza Oteo (1894-1950). It has been sung by many Mexican mariachi and ranchera singers since then, including Vicente Fernández, Antonio Aguilar, Los Tigres del Norte, Lupillo Rivera, Ana Gabriel, and more.
It is a lyrically concise song, very short, but it effectively displays the most popular elements of 20th century mariachi:
- strong emotion (girl, I am so in love with you),
- gratitude and humility (this love is a gift from God and God has the power to take it away)
- a dash of bravado or machismo (the rest of you guys try to take it, I dare you)
Mi gusto es
It is my pleasure
More literally:
My pleasure is
My pleasure exists
The singer is declaring that their pleasure (their love) exists. They are standing tall, feeling above the clouds, just happy to be happy. Being in love is a pleasure.
Mi gusto es el amarte, jovencita,
Topen eso, topen eso,
Que, al cabo, mi gusto es.
My pleasure is loving you, young lady,
[The rest of you] try to topple this, just try,
Because, after all, it is my pleasure.
The lyrics begin speaking to the young lady, then the verb tense changes to speak to everyone else. The singer challenges us, “topen eso” and warns us that no matter what we try, his pleasure (his love) will continue to exist.
topar, verb = to run into, to bump into; to run into or hit an obstacle; to quarrel
The translation of “topen eso” is casual and meant to fit the tone and conciseness of the lyrics. Something more literal would be too long and confusing:
My pleasure is loving you, young lady,
[The rest of you] hit/bump into this obstacle, hit/bump into this obstacle,
Because, after all [in the end], my pleasure exists.
Ay, mi vida,
Te he de seguir amando
Hasta la muerte.
Oh, my love,
I will continue loving you
Until death.
More literal:
Oh, my life,
I shall continue loving you
Until death.
“Mi vida” (my life) is used in Spanish like “my love” or “my sweetheart” in English.
He de + verb = I shall + verb; I must + verb
I like this explanation from Quora:
He de + infinitive is a more moral obligation than any other thing.
Tengo que + infinitive is a more physical obligation. Necessity.
I should/ I must/ I have to eat six times a day to keep my diet. He de comer seis veces al día para seguir mi dieta.
I have to eat because I am very hungry. Tengo que comer porque tengo mucha hambre.
Other Renditions:
Antonio Aguilar, Mexico
Vicente Fernández, Mexico
Ana Gabriel, Mexico
Jenni Rivera, Mexico
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