“Como Los Olivos” (Like the Olive Trees) by Bebe, English translation

“Like the Olive Trees” Lyrics
Album: Pafuera Telarañas (Out with the Cobwebs), 2004
Style: Flamenco hip/hop, song about a passionate romance against the peaceful backdrop of Spain’s pastures.
Country: Spain
Listen: YouTube

Lyrics Translation:

Como los olivos
Sudan aceite,
Mi cuerpo resbala sobre tu piel.

Duerme hombre tranquilo en el jardín del edén
Que la humedad desprende sabor a miel.

Like the olives
Sweat oil,
My body slips over your skin.
Sleep, man, serenely in the garden of Eden
For the humidity gives off a taste of honey.

Continue reading ““Como Los Olivos” (Like the Olive Trees) by Bebe, English translation”

“Malo” (Evil) by Bebe, English translation of lyrics

“Evil”
AlbumPafuera Telaraña (Outtahere, Spiderwebs), 2005
Style: Rock/flamenco/hip hop, wispy voice, anti-domestic violence. This artist won a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2005.
Country: Spain
Listen: YouTube

Translation:

Apareciste una noche fría
Con olor a tabaco sucio y a ginebra,
El miedo ya me recorría
Mientras cruzaba los deditos tras la puerta.

You appeared one cold night
With the smell of dirty tobacco and of Ginebra, [*brand of alcohol]
The fear already ran through me
While I crossed my little fingers behind the door.

Continue reading ““Malo” (Evil) by Bebe, English translation of lyrics”

“Silencio” by Ojos De Brujo, English translation of lyrics

“Silence”
GroupOjos de Brujo (Wizard Eyes)
AlbumTechari, 2006
Style: Hip hop/flamenco fusion.
Country: Barcelona, Spain
Listen: YouTube. If you liked this song, you might also like “Papeles Mojados” by Chambao.

Translation:

Silencio.
Cuando llama uno a la suerte
No comparece en ese momento,
En silencio.

Silence.
When one calls on luck
It doesn’t present itself in that moment,
In silence.

Continue reading ““Silencio” by Ojos De Brujo, English translation of lyrics”

“Todo Tiende” by Ojos de Brujo, English translation of lyrics

“Todo Tiende”
Album: Techarí (Free), 2006
Style: Fast-paced flamenco/hip hop.
Country: Spain
Listen: YouTube

Translation:

Mendigando eternidades,
Mendigos piden a mendigos
Lo que no tienen ni pueden darse.

Panhandling eternities,
Vagrants ask vagrants
For what they do not have nor can give each other.

Continue reading ““Todo Tiende” by Ojos de Brujo, English translation of lyrics”

“Papeles Mojados” (Wet Papers) by Chambao, English translation

“Wet Papers” Lyrics Translation
AlbumCon Otro Aire (With Another Air), 2007
Style: Romani-influenced Spanish music about the perils of immigration and fears of refugees.
Country: Spain
Listen: YouTube

Translation:

Miles de sombras cada noche trae la marea.
Navegan cargaos de ilusiones que en la orilla se quedan.
 [*ilusiones = dreams, hopes, lit. illusions]
Historias del día día, historias de buena gente.
Se juegan la vida cansaos, con hambre y un frío que pela.

Every night, the tide brings in thousands of shadows.
They navigate laden with dreams left at the shore.
Stories of the day, the real day, histories of good people.
They gamble their lives fatigued, with hunger and a cold that hurts.

Continue reading ““Papeles Mojados” (Wet Papers) by Chambao, English translation”