No Hay Color
DISCÍPULOS DE OTILIA Lyrics
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te traemos lo bueno
hermano
y a mi ...
y a ti qué?
Y a mí lo que me
gusta
el sonido sabrosón
que saca tu trombon
trombón trombón
trombón
Africa oh oh
Africa africa
Yo lo que quiero
es un purito de
maria
y ver la vida pasar
y ver maria pasar
y ver la vida pasar
pasar pasar pasar
pasa del cacike
pasa de currar
pa qué? pa qué?
pa qué? Pa qué? si no vas a
parar de currar
pa qué? pa qué? si no vas a
poder ni fumar
pa qué? pa qué? si no te dejan
respirar
pa qué? pa qué? si no te van a
dar na!!
Y en este gran guiso que hay en
el mundo, existe una curiosa
repartición. Hay cuatro gatos
que papean caliente y sobre el
fondo de la olla va esta
canción.
Vivo en un lugar que hace calor
hoy he podido comer algo más!
Han venido unos hombres muy
raros, con la piel mas clara de
lo normal.
Pero, qué pasa? qué están
haciendo?
porqué me roban lo poco que
tengo?
me obligan a ser su esclavo,
no se si quiero seguir viviendo!!
Siglos después todo sigue igual,
trabajando para el blanco sin
parar.
Ya lo decía el gran Chaman, el
blanco crearia el odio racial.
Pero, qué pasa? qué están
haciendo?
porqué me roban lo poco que
tengo?
me obligan a ser su esclavo,
no sé si quiero seguir viviendo!!
The song "No Hay Color" by Discípulos de Otilia is a powerful critique of the systemic oppression and racial discrimination faced by people of color in contemporary society. The song begins by describing the band's love for good music, and highlights the sonorous and flavorful sound of the guitar and trombone. However, this joyous opening is quickly contrasted with the stark reality of racial inequality, as the band sings 'Africa oh oh, Africa africa', calling attention to the global south's ongoing struggle for liberation and equality.
As the song continues, the band members express their own desires for peace and happiness, with lyrics like 'Yo lo que quiero es un purito de maria, y ver la vida pasar' ('All I want is a joint of marijuana, and to watch life go by'). However, they also recognize the ways in which racism and economic exploitation prevent these dreams from becoming reality, as reflected in lines such as 'pa qué? pa qué? si no te dejan respirar' ('what's the point? what's the point? if they won't let you breathe'). Ultimately, the song argues that the global economy is rigged against people of color, as depicted in the line 'Hay cuatro gatos que papean caliente y sobre el fondo de la olla va esta canción' ('There are four cats who eat well while the rest suffer in poverty and sing this song in protest').
The lyrics of "No Hay Color" highlight the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality, and call on listeners to stand up against the systemic injustices that divide people based on race and ethnicity. Through its evocative imagery, vocal harmonies, and iconic instrumental solos, this song has become an anthem of resistance and unity for those who face similar injustices around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Aquí los de otilia
We, the followers of Otilia, are here
te traemos lo bueno
We bring you the good stuff
hermano
Brother
y a mi ...
And to me ...
y a ti qué?
And what about you?
Y a mí lo que me
As for me, what I
gusta
like
el sonido sabrosón
is the tasty sound
que saca tu guitarra
your guitar produces
que saca tu trombon
your trombone produces
trombón trombón
Trombone, trombone
trombón
Trombone
Africa oh oh
Africa, oh oh
Africa africa
Africa, Africa
Yo lo que quiero
What I want is
es un purito de
a cigar made of
maria
marijuana
y ver la vida pasar
and watch life go by
y ver maria pasar
and watch marijuana go by
pasar pasar pasar
go by, go by, go by
pasa del cacike
Forget about the chief
pasa de currar
Forget about working
pa qué? pa qué?
Why? Why?
pa qué? Pa qué? si no vas a
Why? Why? If you're not going to
parar de currar
stop working
pa qué? pa qué? si no vas a
Why? Why? If you're not going to
poder ni fumar
be able to smoke
pa qué? pa qué? si no te dejan
Why? Why? If they won't let you
respirar
breathe
pa qué? pa qué? si no te van a
Why? Why? If they're not going to
dar na!!
give you anything!!
Y en este gran guiso que hay en
And in this big pot that exists in
el mundo, existe una curiosa
the world, there's a curious
repartición. Hay cuatro gatos
distribution. There are only a few
que papean caliente y sobre el
who eat hot food, and on the
fondo de la olla va esta
bottom of the pot goes this
canción.
song.
Vivo en un lugar que hace calor
I live in a place that's hot
hoy he podido comer algo más!
Today I was able to eat a little more!
Han venido unos hombres muy
Some very
raros, con la piel mas clara de
strange men, with lighter skin than
lo normal.
normal.
Pero, qué pasa? qué están
But, what's going on? what are they
haciendo?
doing?
porqué me roban lo poco que
Why do they steal the little that
tengo?
I have?
me obligan a ser su esclavo,
They force me to be their slave,
no se si quiero seguir viviendo!!
I don't know if I want to keep living!!
Siglos después todo sigue igual,
Centuries later, everything is still the same,
trabajando para el blanco sin
working for the white man without
parar.
stopping.
Ya lo decía el gran Chaman, el
As the great Shaman said,
blanco crearia el odio racial.
the white man would create racial hatred.
Pero, qué pasa? qué están
But, what's going on? what are they
haciendo?
doing?
porqué me roban lo poco que
Why do they steal the little that
tengo?
I have?
me obligan a ser su esclavo,
They force me to be their slave,
no sé si quiero seguir viviendo!!
I don't know if I want to keep living!!
Contributed by Nicholas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
carmen sanchez
vuelvan a México!!!
Axel
:)