El tragico
NG La Banda Lyrics

Rumbero en tiempo de España, baila guaguancó guancó hablando
The song starts with a description of a rumbero, someone who enjoys and is skilled in rumba dancing. He is dancing guaguancó guancó, a traditional rhythm, even while talking.

Suena Peluchín, Ay Diós!
The mention of Peluchín, a nickname for a popular musician, is followed by an exclamation of surprise, similar to 'Oh my God!'

Yebelembe, yebelembe, yebelemba Yebelem Belem Belem Belem Belem Balaba
This line consists of nonsense syllables and has no specific meaning.

¡Oye caballero esa mujer me tiene loco ya, Que traguiquismo! Lleva!
The rumbero is complaining about a woman who is making him crazy with her excessive nagging and criticisms, which he refers to as 'traguiquismo'.

Cuando yo llego a la casa, cansado de trabajar, Empieza un concierto en grande, mi mujer empieza a pelear Le molesta si yo tomo, y si juego dominó, si voy a casa de Chicho que vive allá en Luyanó. ¡Ay por Dios!
The rumbero describes the chaotic atmosphere at his house when he returns from work. His wife starts fighting with him for drinking alcohol, playing dominó and visiting his friend Chicho. He expresses frustration by exclaiming 'Ay por Dios!'

¡Ay por Dios! Mari Trini, ¡Ay por Dios! Maricusa Deja ese traguiquismo que aquí el trágico soy yo.
The rumbero cries 'Ay por Dios!' again and begs Mari Trini and Maricusa to stop nagging and criticizing him since he is the one who is struggling to support the family.

Me cuentan que a los muchachos lo regañó la maestra, que no hicieron la tarea y se fueron pa' una fiesta. Que a mi me vieron con otra en la calzada del cerro y que el carro de Zoonosis se había llevado al perro. ¡Oye!
The rumbero is fed up with the gossip and rumors about him and others that are spreading in the neighborhood. He is also annoyed by the fact that people are watching his every move.

Que hubo una bronca en el parque, un robo de bicicleta Que el entierro de Anacleta y Juan que se fue pa'l tanque*. La cola de la cebolla, un conflicto en el solar, y un chismecito de Oyá que vive allá en Alamar.
The rumbero lists a number of local events and incidents, including a fight in the park, a stolen bike, a funeral, a prison sentence for Juan, a dispute over something as trivial as an onion, and gossip spread by a woman named Oyá. All these events are irrelevant to him.

Yo soy el que lucha un Baro* pa' criar a los chamas, si llego tarde a la casa tu me botas de la cama, mamá.
The rumbero claims that he is the one working hard and earning money to support the family. However, if he comes home late, his wife threatens to kick him out of bed.

Yo soy un tipo educado, no me gustan los problemas, Leo a Guillén y a Machado, y un buen libro de poemas, ese es mi lema.
The rumbero considers himself a cultured gentleman who avoids trouble and enjoys reading poetry by famous Cuban poets like Nicolás Guillén and José Martí.

Cuando llego a la casa, cansado de trabajar, oye la china me dice: Tony por qué tarde acabas de llegar.
The rumbero concludes the song by repeating the opening lines with a slightly different ending, describing the peaceful rhythm of his life as a hardworking rumbero who loves to dance and socialize with his friends.