Bobby Cruz (born February 1, 1937) is a salsa singer and religious minister. His seminal professional pairing with Richie Ray is one of the longest-lived partnerships in Latino music, lasting over 40 years. His wide vocal range and quiet, gentlemanly demeanor has earned Cruz enormous popularity over the years.
Cabo E
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cabo e
Cabo si leo
Cabo e, cabo e
Cabo e
Cabo si leo
Cabo e, cabo e
Cabo si leo
Cabo e, cabo e
Cabo e
Cabo si leo
La reina
Del guaguancó
En Kaina le llama
Ma Changó
Aina ucaca
Que le llaman
La reina
Del guaguancó.
Aina ucaca
Pum catapum
Viva Changó
Aina ucaca
Aina kai
Viva chango
Aina ucaca
Líbranos
De todo mal.
Aina ucaca
E inacaina
Nino Changó.
Aina ucaca
Fachitunemergo
Y ño ñampio.
Aina ucaca
Catapum
Catapum
Viva Changó.
Aina ucaca
Líbranos
De todo mal.
Eh ina caina
Nino chango
Aina ucaca
Mira le llaman
La reina
Del guaguancó.
Aina ucaca
Puncatapun
Catapum
Catapum
Y viva Changó.
Aina ucaca
Inacai
Viva Changó.
Aina ucaca
Aina ucaca
Mao, mao
Chango, chango
Chango, chango
Chango.
La diosa
De Omelencó
Eh, mira qué rico
Y bajo Changó.
Aina ucaca
Que le canto
A Changó butin
Guaguancó
Aina ucaca
Catapun
Catapun
Y viva Changó
Aina ucaca
Banyo que mira
Changó.
Aina ucaca
Mao mao
Chango, chango
Chango, chango
Chango
The lyrics to “Cabo E” by Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz are a mix of repetitive phrases and call-and-response chanting, mostly paying homage to the powerful African god, Changó, who is a key figure in Afro-Caribbean religion. The first half of the song consists of repeating the phrase “cabo e” (which means “come over here”) and “cabo si leo” (which is a play on words, meaning “come over here, Chango”). The second half of the song switches to a call-and-response format, with the lead singer calling out phrases in honor of the “queen of the guaguancó” (a dance style popular in Cuba) and the chorus responding with “aina ucaca” (a call to Changó for protection and blessings).
The lyrics are sung in Spanish, but even without knowing the language, it’s clear that the song is meant to be an energetic celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture and religion. The repetition of phrases and call-and-response format create a rhythmic and hypnotic effect, which is enhanced by the driving percussion and brass sections. The song is both musically and spiritually powerful, with a sense of urgency and exaltation that is infectious.
Line by Line Meaning
Cabo e, cabo e
Cabo e
Cabo si leo
Cabo e, cabo e
Cabo e
Cabo si leo
Repeated phrases possibly alluding to the sound or rhythm of the music.
La reina
Del guaguancó
En Kaina le llama
Ma Changó
The queen of Guaguancó, a Cuban percussion-based style of music, is referred to as Ma Changó by someone or a group of people in Kaina (unknown location, possibly referencing a specific place).
Aina ucaca
Que le llaman
La reina
Del guaguancó.
The queen of Guaguancó is called by the name Aina Ucaca by an unidentified group of people.
Aina ucaca
Pum catapum
Viva Changó
Celebratory chants of 'Pum Catapum' and 'Viva Changó' in honor of the deity Changó.
Aina ucaca
Aina kai
Viva chango
More celebratory chants in honor of Changó, using the phrase 'Aina Kai.'
Aina ucaca
Líbranos
De todo mal.
A plea to Changó to protect them from all evil or harm.
Aina ucaca
E inacaina
Nino Changó.
Repetition of 'Aina Ucaca' followed by 'E Inacaina' and 'Nino Changó,' which are not easily interpretable without more context.
Aina ucaca
Fachitunemergo
Y ño ñampio.
Another unclear phrase, but possibly a reference to different words or sounds used in Santeria, a religion with roots in West Africa and the Caribbean.
Aina ucaca
Catapum
Catapum
Viva Changó.
More chants of 'Catapum,' and 'Viva Changó,' showing the strong presence of Changó worship in this song.
Aina ucaca
Líbranos
De todo mal.
Another plea for Changó's protection from harm or evil.
Eh ina caina
Nino chango
Another repetition of unintelligible phrases that could be related to Santeria beliefs or Changó worship.
Aina ucaca
Mira le llaman
La reina
Del guaguancó.
People call the queen of Guaguancó 'Mira' as well as 'La reina del Guaguancó' (the queen of Guaguancó), using the phrase 'Aina Ucaca' again.
Aina ucaca
Puncatapun
Catapum
Catapum
Y viva Changó.
More celebratory chants of 'Puncatapun,' 'Catapum,' 'Viva Changó.'
Aina ucaca
Inacai
Viva Changó.
More chants in honor of Changó, using the phrase 'Inacai.'
Aina ucaca
Aina ucaca
Mao, mao
Chango, chango
Chango, chango
Chango.
More repetitions of 'Aina Ucaca' and 'Chango,' and the possibly onomatopoeic phrases 'Mao, Mao.'
La diosa
De Omelencó
A reference to the goddess Omelencó, possibly another Santeria deity.
Eh, mira qué rico
Y bajo Changó.
The artist exclaims 'Look how rich and great it is' and 'under Changó's protection,' exalting the power and benefits of worshipping Changó.
Aina ucaca
Que le canto
A Changó butin
Guaguancó
A mention of 'Aina Ucaca' in association with the phrase 'A Changó butin' (to Changó with Guaguancó).
Aina ucaca
Catapun
Catapun
Y viva Changó
More celebratory chants of 'Catapum' and 'Viva Changó.'
Aina ucaca
Banyo que mira
Changó.
The singer mentions 'Banyo' which could possibly mean 'bath,' and notes that it looks towards Changó in some way.
Aina ucaca
Mao mao
Chango, chango
Chango, chango
Chango
The song ends with more repetitions of 'Aina Ucaca' and 'Chango,' as well as the possibly onomatopoeic phrase 'Mao, Mao.'
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@williamruy9350
Monstruos. Estos llegaron de alguna estrella lejana que alumbra en el cielo. El regueton salio de las alcantarillas y allí se quedará..
@LaudataSiMiSignora
seamos plurales y tolerantes
@abimaelflores4748
Llegué aquí por Andrés Caicedo. Saludos desde México. 🙌
@danieldelgadillo4782
con too respeto a los gustos de mucha gente y sin animo de discriminar a nadie pero en ua balanza solo con este disco es suficiente para vencer una cantidad de discos infinitos de regueton que en realidad no tienen sentido gracias dios por permitir que la salsa sea parte de mi vida y estilo de vida ......(saludos desde bogota ....)
@aydeerubio1671
Daniel Delgadillo
@yeissonsalamanca1041
jaja el reaggaeton no es música, aceptemolo jajaja
@JFCOLOMBIA
@@yeissonsalamanca1041amen carajo amen jajajaj
@scottmauritzen8412
Asi mismo parcero saludos
@Teodolindo55
El reguetton no perdura.... en cambio esta musica tiene mas de 30 años y esta vigente...0
@manuelarturotorres2918
Año 1967 de esta hermosa canción. Pero no pasa de moda, sino lo contrario, más viva que nunca! Richie Ray, extraordinario pianista y su vocal de lujo Bobby Cruz. Doy Gracias a mi padre porque por él conocí ÉSTA BELLA MUSICA : GUAGUANCO,BOOGALOO,MONTUNO,MAMBO,CHA-CHA-CHA,ETC.