Lyrics & Translation
Embark on a captivating linguistic and cultural journey with Lila Downs' "Balas y Chocolate"! This song is a vibrant tapestry of traditional Mexican sounds and contemporary influences, rich with poetic lyrics that blend Spanish and indigenous Mixtec. By immersing yourself in its powerful narrative, you can explore themes of resilience, love, and social commentary, all while experiencing the beauty of a language interwoven with deep cultural meaning and emotional depth. The song's unique fusion of genres and heartfelt storytelling makes it a compelling way to connect with the nuances of Spanish and Mexican identity.
On the banks of the Orinoco
To Cerro Manatí
Ocinchán, Tabasco
There are bullets flying
Around the world, around the world
Some people dodge them
On the ground, on the ground
Give me more, my chocolate
My mezcal for the chocolate
Give me more, my chocolate
Because you're my chocolate
Honduras, Soconusco, Chontalpa
My life, my sweet
I'm going to dance my luck
My sun and moon
With you until death
My life, my sweet
I love you, chocolate
My sun and moon
I love you, chocolate, beat, beat
There are no bullets that penetrate
The strength of this love
There are no bullets that penetrate
The strength of this love
There are no bullets that penetrate
The strength of this love
There are no bullets that penetrate
The strength of this love
If a gunshot doesn't kill me
Kidnapping or robbery
If I don't drown in volcanic ash
Diabetes, cirrhosis
Neurosis, psychosis
Necrosis from overdose
If alcoholism doesn't kill me
Egoism, foolishness
Partisanism or an earthquake
Out of fear from telenovelas
I'm going to hell and I’ll toast my cacao
El Salvador, Peru, Parinaud, Venezuela, Chuao
That Mexican cacao
There are dreams that are born
For the people, for the people
Some people truly live them
Every day, every day
I'm going to change my life
If you always go with me
I'm going to change my life
If you always go with me
And we follow the Cacao Route
America
My life, my sweet
I'm going to dance my luck
My sun and moon
With you until death
My life, my sweet
I love you, chocolate
My sun and moon
I love you, chocolate
My life, my sweet
I'm going to dance my luck
My sun and moon
With you until death
My life, my sweet
I love you, chocolate
My sun and moon
I love you, chocolate, beat, beat
There are no bullets that penetrate
The strength of this love
There are no bullets that penetrate
The strength of this love
There are no bullets that penetrate
The strength of this love
There are no bullets that penetrate
The strength of this love
Give me my chocolate
I want my chocolate
Give me my chocolate, beat, beat, beat (beat, beat, beat)
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
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chocolate /tʃəˈkɒl.ət/ A1 |
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vida /ˈviː.də/ A1 |
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suerte /ˈswɛr.te/ A2 |
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balas /ˈbɑː.ləs/ A2 |
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amor /əˈmɔːr/ A1 |
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fuerza /ˈfɛr.zə/ B1 |
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bailar /baɪˈlɑːr/ A1 |
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cacao /kəˈkaʊ/ A2 |
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sueños /ˈswɛɪ.njɔːs/ B1 |
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muerte /ˈmɜːr.te/ B1 |
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cambio /ˈkæm.bi.oʊ/ B2 |
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esquivar /ɛsˈkiː.vɑːr/ B2 |
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dolor /dəˈlɔːr/ B2 |
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neurosis /njʊəˈroʊ.sɪs/ C1 |
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alcoholismo /ˌæl.kəˈhɔː.lɪ.zəm/ C1 |
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🚀 "chocolate", "vida" – from “Balas y Chocolate” still a mystery?
Learn trendy vocab – vibe with music, get the meaning, and use it right away without sounding awkward!
Key Grammar Structures
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Hay balas que van volando / Por el mundo, por el mundo
➔ Present indicative of 'ir' + gerund ('volando') expressing an ongoing action.
➔ The structure "ir + gerund" emphasizes that the bullets are "flying" around the world at this very moment, a continuous action.
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Dame ma' mi chocolate
➔ Imperative form 'dame' (give me). Possessive adjective 'mi' (my) combined with 'ma'' (short for 'mamá').
➔ 'Dame' is a direct request, emphasizing the speaker's desire. 'Ma' mi chocolate' is a term of endearment and request, implying a close relationship with the person being addressed.
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Voy a bailar mi suerte
➔ Future tense using 'ir a' + infinitive ('bailar'). Expressing intention or near future action.
➔ 'Voy a bailar' indicates the speaker's intention to dance, expressing a future plan.
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No hay balas que penetren / La fuerza de este amor
➔ Subjunctive mood ('penetren') used after a negative statement ('No hay'). Demonstrative adjective 'este' (this).
➔ The subjunctive mood 'penetren' is required because the existence of bullets that can penetrate the force of love is uncertain after the negative 'No hay'. 'Este' emphasizes a specific, perhaps strongly felt, love.
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Si no me mata un balazo
➔ Conditional clause using 'si' (if) + present indicative ('mata').
➔ This introduces a hypothetical situation: *if* a gunshot doesn't kill me...
