La Cucaracha
Los Panchos Lyrics
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Ya no puede caminar
Porque no tiene, porque le falta
Un cigarro que fumar
La cuchara, la cucaracha
Ya no puede caminar
Porque no tiene, porque le falta
Un cigarro que fumar
Voy a hacer una toquilla
Pa' ponerla en el sombrero del
Famoso Pancho Villa
La cuchara, la cucaracha
Ya no puede caminar
Porque no tiene, porque le falta
Un cigarro que fumar
Hay viene la cucaracha, hay viene por el camino (uhhhh), ya se mira muy borracha con su botella de vino
Hay viene la cucaracha cayendose en el camino
The lyrics of Los Panchos's song La Cucaracha feature a small spoon-shaped instrument, the cuchara, and a cockroach, the cucaracha, that can no longer walk because it lacks a cigarette to smoke. The song's lyrics mention historical figures, such as Carranza and Pancho Villa, and describe the cucaracha's drunken state with a wine bottle. The song's catchy melody and humorous lyrics have made it a popular folk song in Latin America and beyond.
On a deeper level, the lyrics of La Cucaracha can be interpreted as a commentary on addiction or substance abuse. The cucaracha is unable to function without a cigarette, and the mention of the wine bottle suggests that it is turning to alcohol as well. The image of a cockroach, a common pest, struggling with addiction highlights how addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their background or status.
Overall, La Cucaracha is a fun and light-hearted song on the surface, but its lyrics hold deeper meaning and social commentary. Its widespread popularity and enduring legacy testify to its importance in Latin American culture.
Line by Line Meaning
La cuchara, la cucaracha
The spoon, the cockroach
Ya no puede caminar
Can no longer walk
Porque no tiene, porque le falta
Because it doesn't have, because it lacks
Un cigarro que fumar
A cigarette to smoke
Con las barbas de Carranza
With the beards of Carranza
Voy a hacer una toquilla
I'm going to make a shawl
Pa' ponerla en el sombrero del famoso Pancho Villa
To put it in the hat of the famous Pancho Villa
Hay viene la cucaracha, hay viene por el camino (uhhhh), ya se mira muy borracha con su botella de vino
Here comes the cockroach, here it comes on the road (uhhhh), it already looks very drunk with its wine bottle
Hay viene la cucaracha cayendose en el camino
Here comes the cockroach falling on the road
Writer(s): Cruz Martinez, A.b. Quintanilla Iii, Jason Cano, Public Domain Writer, Nick Washington
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.