English translations of Spanish song lyrics, side-by-side. A Spanish language learning resource. Canciones en español traducidas al inglés. Site migration in progress!
“The Fall”Lyrics, lit. “The Impact” or “The Blast of Wind” Style: Mariachi Countries: United States (Texas), Mexico Listen: This song is full of life advice and metaphors. It speaks about the fall of a great tree. It was so large, and it fell so hard. The song is covered on Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s anthology album, disc 2. Listen to Flor Silvestre’s original version on YouTube.
Translation:
Deja amistades pa’ cuando caigas, Te den la mano. Brinde una copa pa’ cuando llores, Te den un trago.
Keep friendships so that when you fall, They give you a hand. Raise your glass (to others’ happiness) so that when you cry, They give you a drink.
“Simply Friends” Lyrics Album: SEIS (Six), 2021 Style: Mariachi about a lovestruck person wanting to know if their crush is interested in a relationship, or if they will stay simply friends. Countries: Chile, Mexico Listen: YouTube
Translation:
Oye, dame una señal, La posibilidad de hacerlo a mi modo. Dale, no seas cohibido, Quiero algo contigo, Más que ser amigos.
Hey, give me a sign, The possibility of doing things my way. Come on, don’t be shy, I want something with you, More than being friends.
“Four Paths” Style: Ranchera, mariachi, forsaken love song. A song about picking your life path when you feel lost. The cuatro caminos refers to the four cardinal directions. Country: Mexico Listen:YouTube, Amazon
Translation:
Es imposible que yo te olvide. Es imposible que yo me vaya. Por donde quiera que voy te miro. Ando con otra y por ti suspiro.
It is impossible for me to forget you. It is impossible for me to leave. Because wherever I go, I see you. I am with another and I sigh for you.
“May Things Go Beautifully For You” Style: Sorrowful mariachi love song. This is a post-breakup song, with the narrator wishing his former lover nothing but good things. It sounds like he ended the relationship due to outside circumstances. Country: Mexico Listen:YouTube, Amazon. The song was also used for a 1978 Mexican film, but there is little information available online.
Translation:
Ojalá que te vaya bonito. Ojalá que se acaben tus penas, Que te digan que yo ya no existo, Y conozcas personas más buenas...
I hope that things go beautifully for you. I hope that your sorrows end, That they tell you that I no longer exist, And that you meet better people…
José Alfredo Jiménez died 41 years ago on November 23, 1973.
My father is a huge fan of José Alfredo Jiménez. Once, when I was visiting home and helping him install a new music program, he started filling his playlist and found this song. He told me more about the legendary José Alfredo Jiménez, beloved and prolific singer-songwriter of Mexico. Jiménez died in 1973 of cirrhosis of the liver due to his drinking. He didn’t die sad or regretful, though. He died full of gratitude for his fans. He composed this last song, “Gracias” (Thank You) to express his love for everyone, and to let people know that he thought his life was wonderful, and that he had made peace with his upcoming death.
To this day, he is still internationally famous for his character- and story-driven lyrics. When people think of mariachi, ranchera, and corrido songs, they think of José Alfredo Jiménez.
Translation:
¿Cómo puedo pagar Que me quieran a mí Por todas mis canciones?
How can I repay That you all love me For all my songs?
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