La Culebra
Banda Machos/Vázquez Francisco "Tigrillos" Lyrics
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Íbamos a la bolenda
De pronto veo venir
Cerquita de mí
Yo vi a una culebra
Mirando hacia mí
Y yo grité
Y yo grité:
“Ay, la culebra!”
La gente salió huyendo
Mirándome enojados
Toditos asustados comenzaron a gritar:
“Huye, José!”
“Huye, José!”
Ven pa´ca,
Cuidado con la culebra que muerde los pies
Ay, si me muerde los pies!
No puedo yo bailar si me muerde los pies
Ya no voy a poder gozar
Echa pa´lla!
Ven, pa´ca
Cuidado con la culebra que muerde los pies
Ay, si me muerde los pies!
Yo la quiero acurrucar si me muerde los pies
Yo la tengo que matar
Echa pa´lla!
Ven, pa´ca
Cuidado con la culebra que muerde los pies
(Eso!, uno más, arre machos!)
Yo grité:
“Ay, la culebra!”
Y yo grité:
“Ay, la culebra”
La gente salió huyendo
Mirándome enojados
Toditos asustados comenzaron a gritar:
“Huye, José!”
“Huye, José!”
Ven pa´ca
Cuidado con la culebra que muerde los pies
Ay, si me muerde los pies!
No puedo yo bailar si me muerde los pies
Ya no voy a poder gozar
Echa pa´lla!
Ven, pa´ca
Cuidado con la culebra que muerde los pies
Ay, si me muerde los pies!
Yo la quiero acurrucar si me muerde los pies
Yo la tengo que matar
Echa pa´lla!
Ven, pa´ca
Cuidado con la culebra que muerde los pies
The song "La Culebra" by Banda Machos/Vázquez Francisco "Tigrillos" tells the story of a man named José who was at a dance party when he suddenly saw a snake. José exclaimed "Ay, la culebra!" ("Oh, the snake!") and the people at the party started panicking and running away. The singer warns José to watch out for the snake's deadly bite. The lyrics use repetition and call-and-response to create a catchy, interactive song that invites the listener to join in.
The song is an example of the popular Mexican genre of music called banda, which originated in the state of Sinaloa in the early 20th century. Banda music features brass instruments, percussion, and a lead singer who tells stories through songs. "La Culebra" is a well-known example of the genre and has been covered by many other artists.
The lyrics of "La Culebra" may seem humorous at first, but they also reveal a deeper cultural fear of snakes in Mexico. In many indigenous traditions, snakes are considered sacred and powerful animals that can bring healing and renewal. However, in modern Mexican society, snakes are often associated with danger and death. The lyrics of "La Culebra" reflect this fear and warn people to be cautious and respectful around snakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Íbamos a la bolenda
We were on our way to the fair
De pronto veo venir Cerquita de mí
Suddenly, I see it coming close to me
Yo vi a una culebra Mirando hacia mí
I saw a snake looking at me
Y yo grité Ay, la culebra!
And I screamed, 'Oh, the snake!'
La gente salió huyendo Mirándome enojados Toditos asustados comenzaron a gritar: Huye, José!
People started running away, looking at me angrily and scared, and they started yelling, 'Run, Jose!'
Ven pa´ca, Cuidado con la culebra que muerde los pies
Come here, be careful with the snake that bites feet
Ay, si me muerde los pies! No puedo yo bailar si me muerde los pies Ya no voy a poder gozar
Oh, if it bites my feet! I won't be able to dance or enjoy myself anymore
Echa pa´lla! Ven, pa´ca Cuidado con la culebra que muerde los pies
Go away! Come here! Be careful with the snake that bites feet
Yo la quiero acurrucar si me muerde los pies Yo la tengo que matar
I want to cuddle with it if it bites my feet, but I have to kill it
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BENNY MORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind