Borinquen – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Willie Colon
• Album: El Malo

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of salsa and Puerto Rican culture with Willie Colón's iconic track, "Borinquen." This song offers a powerful connection to the island's indigenous roots and the heartfelt expressions of its people. Through its evocative lyrics and infectious rhythms, listeners can learn Spanish phrases related to national pride, heritage, and the joy of Latin music, making it a perfect piece for understanding the soul of Puerto Rican identity in the diaspora and the foundational sounds of salsa.

[English]

Borinquen, to you I dedicate

This guaguancó

Because it’s the Cuban rhythm

And Hispanics dance it

And I dedicate it to you

...

Borinquen, to you I dedicate

This guaguancó

Because it’s the Cuban rhythm

And Hispanics dance it

And I dedicate it to you

...

It’s from Borinquen, it’s from Borinquen

From beautiful Borinquen, but I want to see you

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

Eh, the beautiful land Columbus loved

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

But Columbus, tolón and tolón

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

In Borinquen, in Borinquen

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

They dance the good rumba, just the way it is

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

Let me go, let me go, I’m heading to Borinquen

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

Eh, how beautiful Puerto Rico is

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

I’m leaving, I’m leaving

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

I’m heading to Borinquen, man

...

Let’s go to Borinquen!

...

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

Eh, how beautiful my land is, man

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

Don’t leave me here, I’m heading to Borinquen

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

Borin-Borin-Borinquen, Borinquen

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

To Borin-Borinquen, to Borin-Borinquen I’m going

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

To dance the rumba, man

(Ah-eh, Borinquen calls me)

I’m already heading to Borinquen

...

[Spanish]

Borinquén, a ti yo te dedico

Este guaguancó

Porque es el ritmo cubano

Y lo bailan los hispanos

Y te lo dedico yo

Borinquén, a ti yo te dedico

Este guaguancó

Porque es el ritmo cubano

Y lo bailan los hispanos

Y te lo dedico yo

Es de Borinquén, es de Borinquén

De Borinquén tierra linda, pero que yo a ti te quiero ver

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Eh, la tierra linda que amó Colón

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Pero Colón, tolón y tolón

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

En Borinquén, en Borinquén

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Se baila la rumba buena y como es

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Suéltame que suéltame, que voy pa' Borinquén

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Eh, qué lindo Puerto Rico es

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Que yo me voy, que yo me voy

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Que yo me voy pa' Borinquén men

¡Arranca pa' Borinquén!

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Eh, que tierra linda la mía, men

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

No me dejen por acá, me voy pa' Borinquén

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Borin-Borin-Borinquén, Borinquén

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

A Borin-Borinquén, a Borin-Borinquén voy

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

A bailar la rumba, men

(Ah-eh, Borinquén me llama)

Que ya me voy pa' Borinquén

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Borinquén Borinquén C1	noun - the indigenous name of Puerto Rico
guaguancó guaguancó B2	noun - Afro‑Cuban musical style and dance
ritmo ritmo A1	noun - rhythm
cubano cubano A2	adjective - from Cuba; Cuban
bailan bailan A2	verb - they dance
hispanos hispanos B1	noun - Hispanic people
tierra tierra A1	noun - land; earth
linda linda A2	adjective - beautiful, pretty
quiero quiero A1	verb - I want
ver ver A1	verb - to see
Colón Colón B2	noun - Christopher Columbus; a surname
rumba rumba B1	noun - a Cuban dance and music genre
buena buena A2	adjective - good, fine
suéltame suéltame B2	verb - let me go; release me
voy voy A1	verb - I go / I am going
arranca arranca B2	verb - start!; pull out!
bailar bailar A1	verb - to dance
men men B2	noun - slang for ‘friend’ or ‘dude’
tolón tolón B2	noun - colloquial exclamation; a rhythmic chant used in the song (no direct translation)
dedico dedico B2	verb - I dedicate