La Llorona
Lila Downs & Mariachi Juvenil De Tecalitlan Lyrics

In "La Llorona", Lila Downs and Mariachi Juvenil De Tecalitlan sings about a popular Mexican folklore legend known as La Llorona, also known as "The Weeping Woman". The song starts with the lyrics "Todos me dicen el negro, Llorona" which translates to "Everyone calls me 'the black one', Llorona". This indicates that the singer is a dark-skinned or mixed-race individual who is considered to have African ancestry in Mexico, where there is a complex history of race and ethnicity. The reference to "the black one" is likely intended to point out the singer's difference from society's norms, but the line "Negro pero cariñoso" which translates to "Black but loving" suggests that despite the singer's differences, they still possess admirable qualities.

The song's chorus "Ay de mí, Llorona Llorona, Llorona, llévame al río. Tápame con tu rebozo, Llorona. Porque me muero de frió" translates to "Oh, my darling, Llorona, Llorona, take me to the river. Wrap me with your shawl, Llorona. Because I am so cold, I am dying." This part of the song seems to be a conversation between the singer and La Llorona herself. In the legend of La Llorona, she is said to wander by the riverbanks mourning the loss of her children, whom she drowned in the river. The singer, feeling cold and alone, appears to be asking La Llorona to take them away, perhaps finding some comfort in the legend's embrace.