Spanish songs translated to English with side-by-side lyrics and notes for Spanish learners
“Like How One Loses a Star”
Album: Que Seas Muy Feliz (May You Be Very Happy), 1995
Style: Wailing prayer and mourning after the loss of a lover (likely by breakup), with orchestral mariachi.
Country: Mexico
Listen: YouTube
Te quiero,
Lo digo como un lamento,
Como un quejido que el viento
Se lleva por donde quiera.
I love you,
I say it like a lament,
Like a howl that the wind
Takes away wherever it goes.
“Let Our Love Be Known”
Album: SEIS (SIX), 2021
Style: Love song, mariachi serenade, romantic and public declaration of love.
Country: Chile, Mexico
Listen: YouTube
Desde que estoy a tu lado no sé concentrarme.
Pierdo noción de las horas, no sé a dónde voy.
Since I have been by your side, I cannot concentrate.
I lose track of time, don’t know where I’m going.
Cuando me ven mis amigos, suelen preguntarme,
Qué es lo que pasa conmigo, no saben quién soy.
When my friends see me, they often ask me,
What’s going on with me, they don’t know who I am.
“The King”
Composer: José Alfredo Jiménez
Style: Ranchera very popular in Mexico. This is one of José Alfredo’s most famous songs.
Country: Mexico
Listen on YouTube: José Alfredo Jiménez (original), Vicente Fernandez, Alejandro Fernández, and now George Strait (possibly because of my translation? I don’t know, but if so, I am very honored!)
Yo sé bien que estoy afuera
Pero el día que yo me muera
Sé que tendrás que llorar.
(Llorar y llorar, x2)
I am fully aware that I am out
But the day that I die
I know that you will have to cry.
(Cry and cry, x2)
Dirás que no me quisiste,
Pero vas a estar muy triste
Y así te vas a quedar.
You will say that you did not love me,
But you will be very sad
And that is how you will stay.
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