Antes – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: José José

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the soulful world of José José with "Antes," a classic romantic ballad that showcases the legendary Mexican singer's early vocal prowess and the poetic depth of Spanish lyrics. This song offers a beautiful entry point for language learners to appreciate the emotive power and rich vocabulary of Spanish, wrapped in a melody that speaks of eternal love and destiny. Its evocative imagery and heartfelt delivery make it special for understanding cultural expressions of romance.

[English]

Before

The world was even formed

And the bird sang its first song

I was already waiting for you

Before

The scent of roses filled the air

And so many, many things were there

I was already waiting for you

Before

Your heart, filled with emotion

A magical lightning lit your devotion

I was already waiting for you

Before

I even knew your name

And without seeing you, I loved you the same

I was already waiting for you

Before

I kissed your lips so tenderly

And held your body close to me

I was already waiting for you

Before

The bird sang its first tune

And the world began under the moon

I was already waiting for you

Before

I even knew your name

And without seeing you, I loved you the same

I was already waiting for you

Before

The bird sang its first melody

And the world was formed for you and me

I was already waiting for you

Before

The scent of roses filled the breeze

And so many, many things brought you to me

I was already waiting for you

Before

The bird sang its first note

And the world was formed, I couldn’t dote

I was already waiting for you

Before, before

Before

...

[Spanish]

Antes

De que el mundo se formara

Y que el pájaro cantara

Ya te esperaba

Antes

Del perfume de las rosas

Y de tantas, tantas cosas

Ya te esperaba

Antes

Que en tu pecho emocionado

Un relámpago encantado

Te iluminara, ya te esperaba

Antes

Que tu nombre yo supiera

Y sin verte, te quisiera

Ya te esperaba

Antes

Que tus labios yo besara

Y tu cuerpo yo estrechara

Ya te esperaba

Antes

De que el pájaro cantara

Y que el mundo se formara

Ya te esperaba

Antes

Que tu nombre yo supiera

Y sin verte te quisiera

Ya te esperaba

Antes

De que el pájaro cantara

Y que el mundo se formara

Ya te esperaba

Antes

Del perfume de las rosas

Y de tantas, tantas cosas

Ya te esperaba

Antes

De que el pájaro cantara

Y que el mundo se formara

Ya te esperaba

Antes, antes

Antes

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mundo ˈmundo A2	noun - world
pájaro ˈpaxaro A2	noun - bird
esperaba espeˈɾaba A2	verb - I was waiting
perfume peɾˈfume B1	noun - perfume, fragrance
rosas ˈrosas A2	noun - roses
pecho ˈpetʃo A2	noun - chest
emocionado emotʃiˈonaðo B1	adjective - excited, moved
relámpago reˈlampago B1	noun - lightning
encantado enkanˈtaðo B1	adjective - enchanted, delighted
iluminara ilumiˈnaɾa B2	verb - to illuminate
nombre ˈnombre A2	noun - name
supiera supjeˈɾa B1	verb - I knew
quisiera kisiˈeɾa B1	verb - I would like
labios ˈlabjos A2	noun - lips
besara beˈsaɾa B1	verb - to kiss
cuerpo ˈkweɾpo A2	noun - body
estrechara estɾeˈtʃaɾa B2	verb - to embrace, to hold tightly

Key Grammar Structures

• Antes de que el mundo se formara

  ➔ Subjunctive mood after 'antes de que'

  ➔ The phrase 'antes de que' (before that) requires the verb 'formara' to be in the subjunctive mood because it expresses uncertainty or a hypothetical situation. The 'se' in 'se formara' is an impersonal 'se', indicating the world forming itself. "Before the world **formed** itself."

• Ya te esperaba

  ➔ Imperfect tense to express a habitual action in the past.

  ➔ The imperfect tense 'esperaba' indicates that the waiting was ongoing and habitual in the past. It wasn't a single, completed action. "I **was already waiting** for you."

• Antes que tu nombre yo supiera

  ➔ Subjunctive mood after 'antes que' with 'supiera'

  ➔ Similar to the first example, 'antes que' triggers the subjunctive mood. 'Supiera' (from 'saber' - to know) is in the subjunctive, indicating uncertainty about knowing the name. "Before I **knew** your name."