camino de guanajuato
la hija del mariachi Lyrics

The first two lines of "Camino de Guanajuato" by La Hija del Mariachi, "No vale nada la vida, La vida no vale nada," translate to "Life is worth nothing, life is worth nothing." This opening expresses a pessimistic view of life, with the artist suggesting that the only constant of life is tears, that life is a never-ending cry from birth to death. The chorus repeats the idea that life is worthless, with the singer stating that life is valued at nothing in this world, creating a sense of despair and hopelessness.

The following lines allude to the annual fair in León Guanajuato, a town in central Mexico known for its bullfighting and cockfighting. The song describes the feria as a place where people gamble with their lives and honor the winners. The importance of this fair in the region is emphasized with the following lines “Alla en mi León Guanajuato, la vida no vale nada.” The repeating assertion of the song's premise in different forms suggests a deep-seated belief in a depressing state of being.

The lyrics move to speak of the Cerro del Cubilete, a beautiful mountain in central Mexico where a statue of Christ stands. The presence of the statue is considered uplifting and relieving for people suffering from everyday problems. It is said in the lyrics that the presence of the statue on the mountainside "del cerro del cubilete" serves as consolation to those who suffer, while the mountain provides a focal point for people’s adoration.