They have been playing for decades for international audiences, taking their tropical interpretations worldwide. For salseros everywhere such songs as "Las caleñas son como las flores", "Buscandote", "Dale al bombo", "Sobre las olas" and "Fuma el barco" are easily recognized and welcomed whenever they perform. "Las caleñas" has also been remixed into a more dancefloor friendly version and released on a whitelabel by Los Hermanos Latinos.
Several famous musicians have recorded for The Latin Brothers. One of them was the Cuban musician Alfredo de la Fe, nominated for two Grammys in 1980 and Violinist of the Year from 1977 to 1981 by the Latin New York Awards. You also have the vocalists Will Pertuz and Yorthley Rivas, who also recorded for Cariaco, and Joseito Martínez who had an international hit with The Latin Brothers called "Sobre las olas".
Today, with Julio Ernesto Estrada (Fruko) as musical director, they have directed their course toward the continuance of their unique salsa rhythm - realsing their 18th album featuring singer Joséito Martínez as lead vocal.
El Carretero
The Latin Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ay por el camino del sitio mío
un carretero alegre pasó...
en su tonada que es muy guajira
y muy sentida alegre cantó (bis)
Me voy al transbordador a descargar la carreta
para llegar a la meta de mi penosa labor.
A caballo vamos pa´l monte, a caballo vamos pa´l monte
a caballo vamos pa´l monte, a caballo vamos pa´l monte.
Yo trabajo sin reposo para poderme casar
yo trabajo sin reposo para poderme casar
y si lo puedo lograr seré un guajiro dichoso.
A caballo vamos pa´l monte, a caballo vamos pa´l monte
a caballo vamos pa´l monte, a caballo vamos pa´l monte.
Soy guajiro y carretero, en el campo vivo bien
soy guajiro y carretero, en el campo vivo bien
porque el campo es el edén más lindo del mundo entero.
A caballo vamos pa´l monte, a caballo vamos pa´l monte
a caballo vamos pa´l monte, a caballo vamos pa´l monte.
Chapea el monte, cultiva el llano, recoge el fruto de tu sudor
chapea el monte, cultiva el llano, recoge el fruto de tu sudor.
The Latin Brothers’ song “El Carretero” is a classic example of Colombian cumbia music at its finest. The song starts with a description of a joyful carrettero, or cart driver, making his way down a rural road, singing a heartfelt guajira tune. From there, the song delves into the challenges and rewards of life as a hardworking guajiro in the Colombian countryside. The carrettero explains that he is headed for the transbordador, or ferry, where he will unload his cart to complete his work for the day. The lyrics emphasize the labor-intensive work of a guajiro, who must constantly work without rest to make a living. The goal of all this work, according to the song, is to eventually marry and become a “dichoso” or happy guajiro.
The song emphasizes the importance of the rural landscape to the guajiro way of life, calling it “el edén más lindo del mundo entero”, or the most beautiful Eden in the world. The chorus of the song is a call to action for all guajiros: “a caballo vamos pa’l monte”, or “let’s go on horseback to the mountains”, signifying the guajiro’s willingness to work hard to cultivate and harvest the fruits of their labor. Overall, the song is a lament for the hardworking but often overlooked guajiro, and a tribute to the joy and fulfillment that can be found through hard work in the countryside.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay por el camino del sitio mío
On the path leading to my home
un carretero alegre pasó...
A cheerful cart driver went by...
en su tonada que es muy guajira
In his very country tune
y muy sentida alegre cantó (bis)
And sang with feeling and joy (repeat)
Me voy al transbordador a descargar la carreta
I am going to the ferry to unload the cart
para llegar a la meta de mi penosa labor.
To reach the goal of my arduous work.
A caballo vamos pa’l monte, a caballo vamos pa’l monte
We are riding on horseback to the mountains, we are riding on horseback to the mountains
Yo trabajo sin reposo para poderme casar
I work tirelessly to be able to get married
y si lo puedo lograr seré un guajiro dichoso.
And if I manage to do it, I'll be a happy country man.
Soy guajiro y carretero, en el campo vivo bien
I am a country man and cart driver, I live well in the countryside
porque el campo es el edén más lindo del mundo entero.
Because the countryside is the most beautiful paradise in the whole world.
Chapea el monte, cultiva el llano, recoge el fruto de tu sudor
Clear the mountain, cultivate the plain, reap the fruits of your labor.
Contributed by Lily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@julienvermeulen1695
Abrazo del père-lachaise ❤
@bertindiazgonzales2697
Un abrazo desde mi Perú 🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪
@rodolfocastrillon7464
Amigo que versión tan genial, no la había pillado, con una sabrosura de ritmo
@javierdonado5120
Saludos del Pianista Javier Donado desde Barranquilla, Colombia
@javierchingal2739
Que belleza de canción
@wilsonfernandomajilamar263
Que música tan linda acaricia el oído .
@fredytomasgutierrezherrera328
Buena versión la canta Saulo Sánchez 👍🎼🎶
@camiloxdgonzalezmalagon252
El carretero - The Latin Brothers
Vocalista: David "Tomate"
Vocalistas acompañantes: Mayra, Julieth Silva y la hermana de Mayra
Piano: Yeimar Núñez
Percusión: Valery Rodríguez
Trombón: Máfer Mendoza y Andrea Maestre Tamoy
Flauta: Nicol Triana
Bajo: Eylin Valentina Peña
Contrabajo: Unión Magdalena
@camiloxdgonzalezmalagon252
El carretero - The Latin Brothers
Vocalista: Jefferson Beltrán
Vocalistas acompañantes: Mayra, Julieth Silva y la hermana de Mayra
Piano: David Tomate
Percusión: Valery Rodríguez
Trombón: Máfer Mendoza y Andrea Maestre Tamoy
Flauta: Angie Santos Prado
Bajo: Camilo MD González Malagón
Contrabajo: Unión Magdalena