El Rata
Alejandro Filio Lyrics


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Con la nariz mugrosa
y un par de grandes orejas
con tierra en las uñas y la ropa vieja
no quiere mas pareja
que su trapo y su cubeta
y una banqueta pa trabajar
el rata le apodan
podre de aquel que quiera jalarle la gorra
el rata conoce
mas de cinco modelos que no tienen los pobres
y es que el hace milagros
con solo tres litros de agua
cofre,guardafangos,cajuelas,vidrios y llantas
por solo dos monedas dice que para la papa
mas la propina si quieren dar
el rata futuro
que me duele muy dentro
si miro mi mundo
el rata mi amigo
ven lavame este coche sucio
de egoismo




ven lavame este coche sucio
de egoismo

Overall Meaning

The song "El Rata" by Alejandro Filio features lyrics that delve into the life of a street vendor known as "El Rata." Despite his physical appearance of having a dirty nose, big ears, and old clothes with dirt under his nails, he is content with his tools which consist of a cloth and a bucket to clean cars on the sidewalk. The song conveys a sense of respect towards this person who does an honest job and has more knowledge than what meets the eye. It implies a contrast between the rich and the poor, showing how humble people who do not have much money can still possess valuable knowledge and skills.


The chorus of the song denotes a dilemma that many individuals face in their lives, where they cannot avoid noticing the social discrepancies in the world around them. The singer of the song seems to feel guilty about his privilege and prosperity, which he contrasts with the hardship of individuals like "El Rata". The lyrics imply a plea of sorts, calling for people to understand the worth and dignity of every human being regardless of their social status. The song provides a commentary on materialism and helps people acknowledge that true value lies in being content with what one has rather than in mindless consumerism.


Line by Line Meaning

Con la nariz mugrosa
With a dirty nose


y un par de grandes orejas
and a pair of big ears


con tierra en las uñas y la ropa vieja
with dirt under his nails and old clothes


no quiere mas pareja
he does not want a partner


que su trapo y su cubeta
just his rag and his bucket


y una banqueta pa trabajar
and a bench to work on


el rata le apodan
they call him the rat


podre de aquel que quiera jalarle la gorra
woe to those who try to steal his cap


el rata conoce
the rat knows


mas de cinco modelos que no tienen los pobres
more than five models that the poor do not have


y es que el hace milagros
and he performs miracles


con solo tres litros de agua
with just three liters of water


cofre,guardafangos,cajuelas,vidrios y llantas
hoods, fenders, trunks, windows, and tires


por solo dos monedas dice que para la papa
for just two coins, he says it's for the potato


mas la propina si quieren dar
plus a tip if they want to give it


el rata futuro
the rat's future


que me duele muy dentro
that hurts me deeply


si miro mi mundo
if I look at my world


el rata mi amigo
the rat, my friend


ven lavame este coche sucio de egoismo
come and wash this selfishly dirty car for me


ven lavame este coche sucio de egoismo
come and wash this selfishly dirty car for me




Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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