El Zagalejo
Los Sabandeños Lyrics

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Ven conmigo al naciente
A cargarme la talla
Ven conmigo al naciente
A cargarme la talla

Las ñameras derechas frescas en la mañana
Las ñameras derechas frescas en la mañana

No dejes que me moje y estate quieta
Mira a ver si te rompo el zagalejo

Aaaay, aaaay. Mira a ver si te rompo el zagalejo

Ándate pronto pa' hablar con el cura
Ándate pronto pa' hablar con el cura
Y verás que prontito se acaban nuestras amarguras

Y verás como cuido la casa, y como te quiero
Y verás como cuido la casa, y como te quiero
Espabílate y ándate pronto, mira que me muero

Aaaay, aaay. Mira que me muero

Aaaay, aaay. Mira que me muero

Ven conmigo al naciente
A cargarme la talla
Ven conmigo al naciente
A cargarme la talla

No te alongues ansina pa' alante, que puede que te caigas
No te alongues ansina pa' alante, que puede que te caigas

...¡Y estate quieta! ¡Mira a ver si te rompo el zagalejo!

¡Mira a ver si te rompo el zagalejo!

Overall Meaning

The song "El Zagalejo" by Los Sabandeños speaks of a man asking his lover to come with him to a nearby stream to wash his clothes. He warns her not to get wet and to stay still, but he also threatens to break her "zagalejo," which is a piece of traditional Canarian clothing, if she doesn't obey him. The lyrics suggest a relationship in which the man is dominant and the woman is expected to obey his commands.

The song takes place in a rural and traditional context, with references to nature ("Las ñameras derechas frescas en la mañana") and religion ("Ándate pronto pa' hablar con el cura"). The man promises to take good care of the house and love his partner, but he also reveals his possessive and controlling side by threatening her with violence.

Overall, "El Zagalejo" is a song that reflects the gender roles and power dynamics of a traditional society, but also highlights the beauty of the Canary Islands' culture and landscape.

Line by Line Meaning

Ven conmigo al naciente
Come with me to the east

A cargarme la talla
To help me carry the load

Las ñameras derechas frescas en la mañana
The fresh ripened figs in the morning

No dejes que me moje y estate quieta
Don't let me get wet and keep still

Mira a ver si te rompo el zagalejo
Watch out, I might break your blouse

Aaaay, aaaay. Mira a ver si te rompo el zagalejo
Oh, be careful! I might rip your blouse

Ándate pronto pa' hablar con el cura
Go quickly to talk to the priest

Y verás que prontito se acaban nuestras amarguras
And you'll see how quickly our sorrows disappear

Y verás como cuido la casa, y como te quiero
And you'll see how I take care of the house, and how much I love you

Espabílate y ándate pronto, mira que me muero
Hurry up and leave quickly, or I might die

Aaaay, aaay. Mira que me muero
Oh, be careful! I might die