El Gavilán
Mariachi Cobre Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Uah-ah, ah, ah, ah
′Ora gente, ahí te vamos

Por ahí viene el gavilán
Por ahí viene ya volando
No se lo dejen llegar
Pollitas anda buscando
Por ahí viene el gavilán
Por ahí viene ya volando
No se lo dejen llegar
Pollitas anda buscando

(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar
(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar

Por ahí viene el gavilán
Viene por la nopalera
Le gustan las jovencitas
Las de 15 primaveras

Por ahí viene el gavilán
Viene por la nopalera
Le gustan las jovencitas
Las de 15 primaveras

(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar
(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar

Ah-ah, ah, ah, ah
Cuídense muchachititas
Que yo soy el gavilán, sí señor
Sí señor, uy, uy, ja, ja, ja, ja

Qué bonito gavilán
Con sus alitas plateadas
Pero más bonitas son
Las solteras no casadas

Qué bonito gavilán
Con sus alitas plateadas
Pero más bonitas son
Las solteras no casadas

(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar




(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar)

Overall Meaning

The song "El Gavilan" by Mariachi Cobre tells the story of a hawk that is flying in search of young chickens to prey upon. The singer warns the young girls to be careful and not fall in love with the hawk. The hawk is described as having silver wings and being attracted to young girls who are not yet married. The repetition of the line "Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán" emphasizes the danger and threat that the hawk represents to the young girls. The audience is cautioned to beware of the charm and allure of this dangerous predator.


The lyrics of "El Gavilan" also have cultural significance as they reflect Mexican folklore and fairy tales about birds, such as the legend of the Quetzal bird. In this story, a beautiful bird is coveted by the Black Eagle and the Seven Snakes who use their powers to try to capture it. It is said that the Quetzal bird represents freedom and the indigenous peoples' spirits, while the Black Eagle represents the Spanish colonial rule.


"El Gavilan" is a classic ranchera song that has been widely covered by many Mexican and Latin American artists in various styles. Its catchy melody, quick tempo, and traditional instrumentation make it a popular song for dancing and celebrations.


Line by Line Meaning

Uah-ah, ah, ah, ah
A joyful exclamation to begin the song


′Ora gente, ahí te vamos
Now everyone, here we go


Por ahí viene el gavilán
The hawk is coming that way


Por ahí viene ya volando
It's already flying towards us


No se lo dejen llegar
Don't let it get here


Pollitas anda buscando
It's searching for little chicks


(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Oh, oh, oh, little one, that cursed hawk


Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar
Oh, oh, oh, little one, don't fall in love with it


Por ahí viene el gavilán
The hawk is coming that way


Viene por la nopalera
It's coming for the cactus garden


Le gustan las jovencitas
It likes young girls


Las de 15 primaveras
Those who are 15 years old


(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Oh, oh, oh, little one, that cursed hawk


Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar
Oh, oh, oh, little one, don't fall in love with it


Ah-ah, ah, ah, ah
A joyful exclamation to continue the song


Cuídense muchachititas
Be careful, little girls


Que yo soy el gavilán, sí señor
Because I am the hawk, yes sir


Sí señor, uy, uy, ja, ja, ja, ja
Yes sir, woo hoo, ha ha ha


Qué bonito gavilán
What a beautiful hawk


Con sus alitas plateadas
With its silver wings


Pero más bonitas son
But even more beautiful are


Las solteras no casadas
The unmarried girls


(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Oh, oh, oh, little one, that cursed hawk


Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar
Oh, oh, oh, little one, don't fall in love with it


(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, que maldito gavilán)
Oh, oh, oh, little one, that cursed hawk


(Ay, ay, ay, chinita, no te vaya a enamorar)
Oh, oh, oh, little one, don't fall in love with it




Writer(s): Traditional, Jose Hernandez

Contributed by Maria H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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