Spanish to English song lyrics translations, side-by-side. A Spanish language learning resource. Canciones en español traducidas al inglés. Site migration in progress!
“I Let Go of Your Rein”Lyrics Style: Corrido, ranchera, sometimes a mariachi. This popular Mexican song is an epic “you’ll miss me, but go” breakup song. Country: Mexico Listen: YouTube (José Alfredo Jiménez, Maná, Lupillo Rivera, Vicente Fernandez, and many more)
Translation:
Se me acabó la fuerza De mi mano izquierda. Voy a dejarte el mundo Para ti solita.
I lost the strength On my left hand. I am going to leave you the world For your very own.
“The White Horse” Lyrics Style: Corrido about a white horse, but it’s really about a road trip all over Mexico on a car (romanticized as a horse). Country: Mexico Listen: YouTube, Amazon
About:
This song is about a road trip [es] that José Alfredo Jiménez took from Guadalajara (in central Mexico) to Baja California (just south of the United States southwest) on a white 1957 Chrysler. It is a good song to teach Mexican geography, since he mentions the places he passes on his journey.
Translation:
Este es el corrido del caballo blanco, Que en un día domingo feliz arrancara. * Iba con la mira de llegar al norte, * Habiendo salido de Guadalajara.
This is the narrative of the white horse, That on a Sunday, happily took off. * He went with the goal of reaching the north, * Having left from Guadalajara.
“The Coyote”, mid-20th century Style: Corrido with mariachi music. This is the story of an unrequited love triangle that ended in the rival’s death. Country: Mexico Listen: YouTube, Amazon
Translation:
Le pinte un cuatro al coyote, y me fui para la sierra. El Coyote era un bandido, nacido allá por mi tierra. Lo conocí desde niño. Fuimos juntos a la escuela.
I drew a cross over the Coyote, and I left for the sierra. The Coyote was a bandit, born near my hometown. I knew him since we were kids. We went to school together.
“The Black Dog” Lyrics Style: Corrido (a storytelling style) about a loyal dog. Country: Mexico Listen: YouTube, Amazon
About:
José Alfredo Jiménez was a famous and prolific Mexican singer-songwriter. Remember his name if you are interested in the music history of Latin America or Mexican culture. His songs created a new mythology in Mexico. He sang about characters and stories. This song is about the murder of Gilberto the Brave, who was killed in his sleep by a cowardly but powerful rival. Gilberto had a loyal dog who avenged his murder.
Translation:
Al otro lado del puente De La Piedad, Michoacán, Vivía Gilberto el Valiente, Nacido en Apatzingán.