His professional career started in the 60s, with Oriental Quintet and later on he entered Septeto Típico Oriental. In 1978, joined Patria Quartet as director and singer. In 1986, he shared a recording with the luminary Cuban singer Francisco Repilado, well known as Compay Segundo, 'El Chan Chan' and in 1989 they made different presentations in Washington, Guadalupe and Dominican Republic. In 1997, he took part of Buena Vista Social Club record, winner of a Grammy Award.
In 1993 he and the group recorded A una coqueta and in 1995 The lion is loose (Cubason CORA125); In 1998 he recorded the album CubAfrica with Manu Dibango (Mélodie 79593.2); in 1999 Sublime Ilusión (Virgin DGVIR 85); and in 2006 a compilation of Virgin recordings appeared, La collección cubana: Eliades Ochoa (Nascente NSCD 114
He has toured around 40 countries and recorded disks, approaching titles of great significance for Cuban music such as 'Son de Oriente', 'Chanchaneando' with Compay Segundo; 'La venganza de Perico', together with Divango, famous saxophonist from Camerún; the continental record 'El Guateque de Don Tomás' with North American Bob Dylan and the most famous theme 'Píntate los labios María' which with the video clip created by Frank Padrón, received different Lucas Prizes and other international recognitions highlighting various Gold Disks.
El Carretero
Eliades Ochoa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ay, por el camino del sitio mío
Un carretero alegre pasó
Ay, con su canciones muy queridas
Muy sentida alegre cantó
Me voy al transbordador (bam-bam)
Me voy al transbordador (bam-bam)
A descargar la carreta (bam-bam)
Para cumplir con la meta (bam-bam)
De mi penosa labor
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
Soy guajiro y carretero (bam-bam)
Y en el campo vivo bien que (bam-bam)
Soy guajiro y carretero (bam-bam)
Y en el campo vivo bien (bam-bam)
Porque el campo es el Edén (bam-bam)
Más lindo del mundo entero (bam-bam)
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
Yo trabajo sin reposo (bam-bam)
Para poderme casar (bam-bam)
Y yo trabajo sin reposo (bam-bam)
Para poderme casar (bam-bam)
Y si lo llego a lograr (bam-bam)
Seré un guajiro dichoso
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
Ay, por el camino del sitio mío
Un carretero alegre pasó
Con su canciones muy queridas
Muy sentida alegre cantó
Me voy al transbordador (bam-bam)
A descargar la carreta (bam-bam)
Me voy al transbordador (bam-bam)
A descargar la carreta (bam-bam)
Para cumplir con la meta (bam-bam)
De mi penosa labor
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
Chapea el monte, cultiva el llano
Recoge el fruto de tu sudor
Chapea el monte, cultiva el llano
Recoge el fruto de tu sudor
The lyrics of Eliades Ochoa's song "El Carretero" describe the life of a cheerful carter (carretero) who travels along the road to his hometown or "sitio mío." As he travels, he sings his beloved songs, expressing his joyful spirit despite his tiring work. The carter's upbeat rhythm and lyrics project an optimistic viewpoint towards his laborious life as he goes to unload his cart at the ferry terminal or "transbordador" so that he can meet his arduous work target.
The song contains several stanzas, where the carter talks about how his profession as a carter and rural living provide him with contentment. The chorus "A caballo vamos pa'l monte," which translates to "we are going to the mountain on horseback," sets the tone of the song, emphasizing that the carter lives in the countryside and depends on the horse for transportation. The lyrics "Soy guajiro y carretero" (I'm a peasant and a carter) reinforces the concept that the carter is from the rural sector and has been able to cultivate a contented lifestyle in that environment. Although the carter describes his work as "penosa" or arduous, he is laboring towards his goal of marital bliss, which gives him a sense of hope and motivation.
Overall, "El Carretero" by Eliades Ochoa portray's the joyful spirit of a contented carter who finds fulfillment in his work and the countryside lifestyle. The song's lively and upbeat tone reflect the carter's optimistic attitude towards his profession, where he sings his way to the transbordador to complete his daily task.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, por el camino del sitio mío
On the path that leads to my land
Un carretero alegre pasó
A joyful carter passed by
Ay, con su canciones muy queridas
With his beloved songs
Muy sentida alegre cantó
Sang them with great feeling and joy
Me voy al transbordador (bam-bam)
I'm heading to the ferry (bam-bam)
A descargar la carreta (bam-bam)
To unload my cart (bam-bam)
Para cumplir con la meta (bam-bam)
To achieve my goal (bam-bam)
De mi penosa labor
From my arduous work
A caballo vamos pa'l monte
On horseback, let's go to the mountain
Soy guajiro y carretero (bam-bam)
I'm a peasant and a carter (bam-bam)
Y en el campo vivo bien que (bam-bam)
And I live well in the countryside (bam-bam)
Porque el campo es el Edén (bam-bam)
Because the countryside is Eden (bam-bam)
Más lindo del mundo entero (bam-bam)
The most beautiful in the whole world (bam-bam)
Yo trabajo sin reposo (bam-bam)
I work tirelessly (bam-bam)
Para poderme casar (bam-bam)
So I can get married (bam-bam)
Y si lo llego a lograr (bam-bam)
And if I manage to do it (bam-bam)
Seré un guajiro dichoso
I'll be a happy peasant
Chapea el monte, cultiva el llano
Clear the forest, cultivate the plain
Recoge el fruto de tu sudor
Reap the fruit of your labor
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Guillermo Portabales
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ruthmariavilhenadosreis4833
Sou brasileira, nasci em Minas Gerais ,Jesuânia, esta música me lembra a luta dos trabalhadores do campo! Lembranças da infância!
@ruthmariavilhenadosreis4833
Por favor coloquem a tradução em português
@susyguzman4609
Que linda canción, bella y rítmica interpretación.
Me encanta.
@kennethbrady
This song goes straight to my soul. How did this person, from a different culture and a different language find my soul and soothe it so? The beauty of art, I guess. Transcend all the barriers we humans create. Thank you Eliades Ochoa!!
@mariamarfil1620
That’s what Cuban music does to the soul!
Thank you! 🥰🇨🇺🎵🎶
@kennethbrady
@Maria Marfil 🥰
@juanburgos9556
linda música, felicitaciones a los amigos cubanos desde Lima Perú.
@cowboy5386
Soy hondureño y admiro mucho la musica guajira cubana siendo esta canción la que más me gusta y esta versión que encontré hoy en Youtube. Gracias por compartir.
@bigbearplaster
buscala por portabales
@karizio
A mi tambien. Soy de Brasil