La Bamba
John Storms-Rohm Lyrics
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Para bailar la Bamba,
Se necesita una poca de gracia.
Una poca de gracia para mí, para ti,
Ya arriba, ya arriba,
Ya arriba, ya arriba,
Por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré.
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán.
Soy capitán, soy capitán.
Bamba, bamba,
Bamba, bamba,
Bamba, bamba, bam...
Para bailar la Bamba,
Para bailar la Bamba,
Se necesita una poca de gracia.
Una poca de gracia para mí, para ti,
Ya arriba, ya arriba,
Ya arriba, ya arriba,
Por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré.
"La Bamba" is a traditional Mexican folk song that became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The lyrics describe how, in order to dance the Bamba, one needs "a little bit of grace," and the singer promises to be that grace for their partner. The chorus repeats the phrase "Ya arriba," which roughly translates to "upward" or "higher," encouraging dancers to keep their spirits lifted and joyful as they dance. The second verse asserts the singer's identity as a Captain, not a sailor or a regular citizen - perhaps a nod to the song's cultural significance as a rallying cry for the Mexican Revolution.
Line by Line Meaning
Para bailar la Bamba,
In order to dance La Bamba,
Para bailar la Bamba,
In order to dance La Bamba,
Se necesita una poca de gracia.
A little bit of grace is necessary.
Una poca de gracia para mí, para ti,
A little bit of grace for me, for you,
Ya arriba, ya arriba,
Higher and higher,
Ya arriba, ya arriba,
Higher and higher,
Ya arriba, ya arriba,
Higher and higher,
Por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré.
For you I will be, for you I will be, for you I will be.
Yo no soy marinero,
I am not a sailor,
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán.
I am not a sailor, I am a captain.
Soy capitán, soy capitán.
I am a captain, I am a captain.
Bamba, bamba,
Bamba, bamba,
Bamba, bamba,
Bamba, bamba,
Bamba, bamba, bam...
Bamba, bamba, bam...
Writer(s): Luis Martinez Serrano, Luis Mars
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.