Piragua
Eliseo Román Lyrics
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Piragua, piragua
New block of ice, piragua
Piragua, piragua
So sweet and nice, piragua
Tengo de mango
Tengo de parcha
Tengo de china, de limón
De peso y de peseta, hey!
Piragua, piragua
New block of ice, piragua
Piragua, piragua
So sweet and nice, piragua
It's hotter than the islands are tonight
And Mister Softee trying to shut me down
But I keep scraping by the fading light
Hey pana, this is my town
Piragua, piragua
Keep scraping by, piragua
Piragua, piragua
Keep scraping by, piragua
Keep scraping by, keep scraping by
Lai lo le lo lai! Lai lo le lo lai!
Keep scraping by, keep scraping by
Lai lo le lo lai!
Keep scraping by
Oh, qué calor, qué calor, qué calor, qué calo-o-or!
The lyrics to Eliseo Roman's song Piragua describe the experience of a street vendor selling piraguas, a Puerto Rican shaved ice dessert, on a hot summer day. The first lines repeat "qué calor," which means "how hot" in Spanish, emphasizing the uncomfortable heat of the day. The refrain "piragua, piragua" is the vendor's cry to attract customers, followed by the description of the dessert as a "new block of ice" that is "so sweet and nice." The verses list different flavors, including mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and strawberry, as well as lime and lemon.
The second half of the song introduces a conflict between the singer and Mister Softee, another street vendor competing for business. The singer asserts that it is his town and keeps scraping by, selling his piraguas by the fading light of the day. The final lines repeat the refrain and the phrase "keep scraping by" to emphasize the persistence and determination required to survive in a competitive, challenging environment.
Overall, the song captures the sensory experience of a specific cultural tradition and the economic struggles of street vendors in urban areas. It celebrates the joy and refreshment of a cold, sweet treat on a hot day while acknowledging the obstacles and hardships of making a living on the street.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, qué calor, qué calor, qué calor, qué calo-o-or!
The heat is extremely intense and overwhelming.
Piragua, piragua
Selling a flavored shaved ice treat known as 'piragua'.
New block of ice, piragua
Each serving of 'piragua' is made with freshly shaved ice.
So sweet and nice, piragua
The 'piragua' is enjoyable and delicious to consume.
Tengo de mango
Offering a mango flavored 'piragua'.
Tengo de parcha
Offering a passion fruit flavored 'piragua'.
De piña y de fresa!
Offering pineapple and strawberry flavored 'piragua'.
Tengo de china, de limón
Offering an orange and lemon flavored 'piragua'.
De peso y de peseta, hey!
Accepting both local and foreign currency as payment for 'piragua'.
It's hotter than the islands are tonight
The heat is so intense that it resembles tropical temperatures.
And Mister Softee trying to shut me down
A competitor, Mister Softee, is attempting to put an end to the 'piragua' business.
But I keep scraping by the fading light
Despite the challenges and obstacles, the 'piragua' business continues to operate.
Hey pana, this is my town
Asserting ownership and pride in the local community.
Keep scraping by, piragua
Persisting and persevering to keep the 'piragua' business running successfully.
Keep scraping by, keep scraping by
Continuing to scrape ice to make 'piragua' in spite of challenges.
Lai lo le lo lai! Lai lo le lo lai!
Adding a fun and upbeat rhythm to the song.
Keep scraping by, keep scraping by
Encouraging perseverance and hard work to overcome obstacles in life.
Lai lo le lo lai!
A playful and catchy chorus that emphasizes the persistence required to succeed.
Keep scraping by
Maintaining determination and effort to overcome challenges.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind