Tanguillos marineros
Ojos de Brujo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
los pequeños déjalos
el grande se come al chico
y en la barriga una indigestión.
El pequeño se hace grande
se convierte en tiburón
s´ajuntan pa la revuelta
Zapata vive, Revolución
Bolivar vive.
Hay campesinos sin tierra
hay esclavos sin patrón
ladrones de guante blanco
noches sin letras, libros sin sol
políticos y usureros
que nos llevan a la ruina
torres más grandes han caído
en Venezuela o en Lima.
Los tanguillos marineros
debajo de los delantales
con los tanguillos del puerto
palmas, alegria, samba y timbales.
Las gitanas bailan rumba,
le cantan a Jemanjá
suerte pa los marineros
quee basan tierra y se van.
Suerte pa los marineros
quee besan tierra.
Mira quee suerte, primo quee fuerte
Primo quee suerte, mira quee fuerte
quee he jugao a la lotería
y m´ha tocao conocerte
...mira quee suerte, mira quee suerte...
El tiempo...
buen consejeroo es el tiempo
mala amiga la codicia
mal consejero el dinero
dame alegria y libertad
quee eso es lo quee yo más quero...
The first stanza of "Tanguillos marineros" by Ojos de Brujo refers to the struggle for power and the consequences of inequality. The lyrics describe a world where big fish eat small fish, and while the small ones should be left alone, they often end up getting eaten anyway. This cycle of oppression continues until the small fish become big and powerful, and they are able to band together with other revolutionaries to overthrow the corrupt politicians and financiers who are leading them to ruin.
The second stanza describes the plight of the disenfranchised, from landless farmers and slaves to white-collar criminals and politicians who are complicit in their oppression. The lyrics highlight the contrast between those who have power and those who don't - the towers of the wealthy have fallen in Venezuela and Lima, while the poor are left struggling to survive.
The final stanza evokes a sense of unity and celebration, with the tanguillos marineros (flamenco songs about sailors) serving as a metaphor for the joy that can be found even in difficult times. The gypsies dance the rumba and sing to Jemanjá (a Brazilian goddess of the sea), wishing good luck to the sailors who are leaving land behind. The chorus repeats the phrase "suerte pa los marineros," or "good luck to the sailors," emphasizing the importance of hope and community in the face of hardship.
Overall, "Tanguillos marineros" is a powerful commentary on social and political inequality, but it also offers a glimmer of hope and resilience that is particularly resonant in times of struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Hay peces grandes y chicos
There are big and small fish in the sea
los pequeños déjalos
Leave the smaller ones be
el grande se come al chico
The big ones eat the small ones
y en la barriga una indigestión.
And they might get an upset stomach
El pequeño se hace grande
The small ones can grow into big ones
se convierte en tiburón
They can even become sharks
s'ajuntan pa la revuelta
They unite for the rebellion
Zapata vive, Revolución
Zapata lives, Revolution!
s'ajuntan pa la revuelta
They unite for the rebellion
Bolivar vive.
Bolivar lives.
Hay campesinos sin tierra
There are peasants without land
hay esclavos sin patrón
There are slaves without masters
ladrones de guante blanco
White-collar thieves
noches sin letras, libros sin sol
Nights without words, books without light
políticos y usureros
Politicians and moneylenders
que nos llevan a la ruina
Who lead us to ruin
torres más grandes han caído
Bigger towers have fallen
en Venezuela o en Lima.
In Venezuela or Lima
Los tanguillos marineros
The sailors' tangos
debajo de los delantales
Beneath the aprons
con los tanguillos del puerto
With the tangos of the port
palmas, alegría, samba y timbales.
Clapping, joy, samba, and timbales.
Las gitanas bailan rumba,
The gypsy women dance rumba,
le cantan a Jemanjá
Singing to Jemanjá
suerte pa los marineros
Good luck to the sailors
quee basan tierra y se van.
Who set sail from land.
Suerte pa los marineros
Good luck to the sailors
quee besan tierra.
Who kiss the land.
Mira quee suerte, primo quee fuerte
Look what luck, cousin how strong
Primo quee suerte, mira quee fuerte
Cousin what luck, look how strong
quee he jugao a la lotería
That I played the lottery
y m'ha tocao conocerte
And I got to meet you
...mira quee suerte, mira quee suerte...
Look what luck, look what luck...
El tiempo...
Time...
buen consejeroo es el tiempo
Time is a good counselor
mala amiga la codicia
Greed is a bad friend
mal consejero el dinero
Money is a bad advisor
dame alegría y libertad
Give me joy and freedom
quee eso es lo quee yo más quero...
That's what I want the most...
Contributed by Madelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ila Lo
Ay que buena onda
Dora I
Zapata vive! Revolución!
Mire
MRVF