Amalia Mendoza García (23 July 1923 in San Juan Huetamo, Michoacán, Mexico … Read Full Bio ↴Amalia Mendoza García (23 July 1923 in San Juan Huetamo, Michoacán, Mexico – 11 June 2001 in Mexico City) was one of Mexico's most famous ranchera singers whose career lasted over 40 years. She was nicknamed La Tariácuri after her brothers' group the Trio Tariácuri.

After limited success as part of a duo with her sister Perla she struck out as a solo singer in 1954. Through the majority of her career she was accompanied by El Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, and recorded numerous rancheras and boleros by José Alfredo Jiménez, Cuco Sánchez, José Ángel Espinosa, Gabriel Ruíz and Tomás Méndez.

Amarga Navidad
Amalia Mendoza Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Acaba de una vez, de un solo golpe.
Porque quieres matarme poco a poco
Sí va ha llegar el día en que me abandones
prefiero corazón que sea ésta noche.

Diciembre me gustó pa' que te vayas,
que sea tu cruel adios mi navidad,
no quiero comenzar el año nuevo,

con este mismo amor, que me hace tanto mal.

Y ya después, que pasen muchas cosas,
que éstes arrepentido, que tengas mucho miedo,
vas a saber, que aquello que dejaste,
fue lo que mas quisiste, pero ya no hay remedio.

Diciembre me gustó pa' que te vayas,
que sea tu cruel adios mi navidad,
no quiero comenzar el año nuevo,
con este mismo amor, que me hace tanto mal.

Y ya después, que pasen muchas cosas,
que éstes arrepentido, que tengas mucho miedo,
vas a saber, que aquello que dejaste,
fue lo que mas quisiste, pero ya no hay remedio.

Diciembre me gustó pa' que te vayas,
que sea tu cruel adios mi navidad,

no quiero comenzar el año nuevo,
con este mismo amor, que me hace tanto mal.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Amalia Mendoza's song "Amarga Navidad" tell a story of a woman who has been hurt and is tired of waiting for her lover to leave her. She wants him to end things abruptly because the gradual pain is unbearable. She wants to spend her holiday season celebrating the end of their relationship rather than trying to preserve it, as she would rather start a new year free from the pain he has caused her. The lyrics express a sense of resignation to the fact that the relationship is over, and that there is nothing left to do but endure the pain.

The woman's attitude is one of defiance and strength, rather than despair. She knows that she deserves better than the constant hurt that her lover brings, and she is unafraid to let him go despite the love they once shared. The song's lyrics also suggest that the man will eventually regret his decision to leave her, as he will come to realize that he has left behind something he cherished deeply.

Overall, "Amarga Navidad" is a song about moving on from a toxic relationship and starting fresh. It is a message of hope and empowerment for anyone who has ever been hurt by someone they loved.

Line by Line Meaning

Acaba de una vez, de un solo golpe.
End it once, with one blow.

Porque quieres matarme poco a poco
Why do you want to kill me slowly?

Sí va ha llegar el día en que me abandones
The day will come when you abandon me.

prefiero corazón que sea ésta noche.
I prefer it to be tonight, my heart.

Diciembre me gustó pa' que te vayas,
I liked December so you could leave,

que sea tu cruel adios mi navidad,
Let your cruel farewell be my Christmas,

no quiero comenzar el año nuevo,
I don't want to start the new year,

con este mismo amor, que me hace tanto mal.
With this same love that hurts me so much.

Y ya después, que pasen muchas cosas,
And later, after many things have happened,

que éstes arrepentido, que tengas mucho miedo,
You'll regret it, you'll be afraid,

vas a saber, que aquello que dejaste,
You will realize that what you left behind