23 de Junio – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Vetusta Morla
• Album: Mismo Sitio, Distinto Lugar

Lyrics & Translation

Learning Spanish with “23 de Junio” by Vetusta Morla offers a unique opportunity to delve into the poetic and symbolic language of one of Spain's most beloved indie bands. The song's lyrics are rich with metaphors related to the cultural tradition of the Night of San Juan, providing a beautiful context to learn vocabulary associated with celebration, renewal, and emotion. Its waltz-like rhythm and clear enunciation make it an enjoyable and accessible song for language learners to engage with.

[English]

And before the cold, raise the sails

Keep the grains of rice in your skirt

And hold full moon ceremonies

Before the cold, throw them to me

Take care of this waltz that we have in our veins

Take care of the dance and water the hall

Take the boat to the lagoon

And put summer on a counter

And may San Juan not burn us in his bonfire

When he discovers who jumped it

Leave the luggage on the shore

To see you as you want to be seen

Leave the luggage on the shore

And dance it

Take advantage, there are no masks or distance

Everyone dancing!

I’m going to do it too

If he grants me this dance

...

Make this dance worth it

I will do the same with this song

And if in the end there’s nothing but comedy

Let the river take us both

And may San Juan not burn us in his bonfire

Nor make this a minor business

Cross your fingers for me

And before I look again, seek the wind in our favor

Leave the luggage on the shore

To see you as you want to be seen

You know everything is fine

There’s no mistake

Leave the luggage on the shore

To see me as I want to be seen

Dive into the water again

Here I wait for you

La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la

La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la

Leave the luggage on the shore

It doesn’t help when you cross the border

Everything is in order this time

There’s no mistake

...

Leave the luggage on the shore

To see you as you want to be seen

Leave the luggage on the shore

And burn it

...

[Spanish]

Y antes del frío, levanta las velas

Guarda en tu falda los granos de arroz

Y haz ceremonias de luna llena

Antes del frío, lánzamelos

Cuida este vals que tenemos en vena

Cuida del baile y riega el salón

Lleva la barca hasta la albufera

Y pon el verano en un mostrador

Y que San Juan no nos queme en su hoguera

Cuando descubra, quien la salto

Deja el equipaje en la ribera

Para verte como quieres que te vean

Deja el equipaje en la ribera

Y bailadlo

Aprovechad no hay mascarillas ni distancia

¡Todos bailando!

Yo también lo voy a hacer

Si me concede este baile

Haz que este baile merezca la pena

Yo haré lo propio con esta canción

Y si al final no hay más que comedia

Deja que el río nos lleve a los dos

Y que San Juan no nos queme en su hoguera

Ni haga de esto un negocio menor

Cruza los dedos por mí

Y antes de que vuelva a mirar, busca el viento a favor

Deja el equipaje en la ribera

Para verte como quieres que te vean

Sabes que todo está bien

No hay error

Deja el equipaje en la ribera

Para verme como quiero que me veas

Lánzate al agua otra vez

Aquí espero yo

La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la

La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la

Deja el equipaje en la ribera

No te sirve cuando cruzas la frontera

Todo está en regla, esta vez

No hay error

Deja el equipaje en la ribera

Para verte como quieres que te vean

Deja el equipaje en la ribera

Y quémalo

Key Grammar Structures

• Y antes del frío, levanta las velas

  ➔ Use of the imperative mood to give commands.

  ➔ The phrase "levanta las velas" is a command meaning "raise the sails."

• Deja el equipaje en la ribera

  ➔ Use of the imperative mood to give commands.

  ➔ The phrase "deja el equipaje" means "leave the luggage."

• Aprovechad no hay mascarillas ni distancia

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood to express wishes or hypothetical situations.

  ➔ The phrase "no hay mascarillas ni distancia" means "there are no masks or distance."

• Haz que este baile merezca la pena

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood to express a desire for something to happen.

  ➔ The phrase "haz que este baile merezca la pena" means "make this dance worth it."

• Y que San Juan no nos queme en su hoguera

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood to express a wish or hope.

  ➔ The phrase "que San Juan no nos queme" means "may San Juan not burn us."

• Sabes que todo está bien

  ➔ Use of the indicative mood to state facts.

  ➔ The phrase "todo está bien" means "everything is fine."

• Lánzate al agua otra vez

  ➔ Use of the imperative mood to give commands.

  ➔ The phrase "lánzate al agua" means "jump into the water."