El Buen Ejemplo – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Calibre 50

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the powerful narrative of Calibre 50's "El Buen Ejemplo." This song offers a profound look at redemption and the impact of parental actions, teaching listeners about the universal themes of hope, change, and the enduring strength of familial love through its evocative lyrics and emotional delivery.

[English]

Son, your birthday is coming up

My beloved child, what will you ask for?

It's your sixth anniversary, what have you imagined?

You can tell me

Maybe it's a video game

Maybe a European tour

Ask for whatever you can imagine

No need to argue about the money

Let me bring a Buchanan's

With a notebook to organize

My boy’s party, lots of guests

The band will play

You know, my son, that I love you

You know, I would die for you

You can invite your little friends

Tell me, my boy, I want to hear you

...

Thank you, Dad

I have everything, but I want more

Something I really admire, I like your style

Well, you tell me

I want a bulletproof vest

A grenade launcher

A machine gun, firing a horn

How do you celebrate like that?

...

And you’ve got to set a good example, brother

And up with Calibre 50, my kin

...

I felt a stab, like torture itself

I could handle it

Seeing that damn example

That I give my son, I started crying

What his life might hold

With that suicidal mind

I’m stepping back, little buddy

Even if I have to give up luxuries

...

Tomorrow I’ll look for work, fatten pigs, carry mezcal

...

We need to stop the violence, no more crime, set a good example

I’d rather raise bottles

Than raise a Christian

No more horns in hand

Long live my son, I want to give him that

...

This is the farewell of the ex-narquillo

I'm leaving for other lands with my boy and wife

I want to start a new life, I explained it to the boss and we understood each other

He gave me money and a hug

He told me "Good luck, son

You have more courage than all

It’s a good example, hope it goes well for you!"

...

[Spanish]

Hijo viene tu cumpleaños

Mi niño adorado, ¿qué vas a pedir?

Es tu sexto aniversario, ¿qué has imaginado?

Me puedes decir

Tal vez será un juego de video

Tal vez quizás un tour europeo

Puedes pedir lo que te imagines

Que por los billetes no hay que discutir

Deja traerme una Buchannan's

Con una libreta para organizar

La fiesta de mi muchacho, muchos invitados

La banda sonar

Sabes, mi niño, que yo te quiero

Sabes también que por ti me muero

Puedes invitar a tus amiguitos

Dígame, mi niño, te quiero escuchar

Yo te doy gracias, mi papi

Yo tengo de todo, y quiero algo más

Algo que yo tanto admiro, me gusta tu estilo

Pues tú me dirás

Quiero un chaleco antibalas

Un cañón lanzagranadas

Escuadra, jalarle a un cuerno

Como tú lo haces para festejar

Y hay que dar el buen ejemplo, compa

Y arriba calibre 50, pariente

Yo sentí una puñalada, que hasta una tortura

Pudiera aguantar

Al ver el maldito ejemplo

Que le doy a mijo, me puse a llorar

Que le espera de su vida

Con esa mente suicida

Me retiro compadrito

Aunque de los lujos me deba privar

Mañana busco trabajo, engordando marranos, cargando mezcal

Hay que parar la violencia, no más delincuencia, el ejemplo hay que dar

Prefiero levantar botes

A levantar un cristiano

Ya no más cuerno en la mano

Larga vida a mijo, le quiero brindar

Se despide el ex-narquillo

Me voy pa' otras tierras con niño y mujer

Quiero empezar nueva vida, ya le explique al jefe y me logro entender

Me dio billete y abrazo

Me dijo "suerte muchacho

Tienes más valor que todos

Es un buen ejemplo, ¡qué te vaya bien!"

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
cumpleaños /kumpleˈãno/ A2	noun - birthday
preguntar /pɾeɣunˈtaɾ/ A2	verb - to ask
aniversario /aniβerˈsaɾio/ B1	noun - anniversary
imaginado /iɣimaˈnado/ B1	adjective/verb - imagined
juego /ˈxweɣo/ A2	noun - game
video /ˈβiðeo/ A2	noun - video
organizar /ɔɾɣaniˈsaɾ/ B1	verb - to organize
fiesta /ˈfjɛsta/ A2	noun - party, celebration
invitar /inβiˈtaɾ/ B1	verb - to invite
libreta /liˈβɾeta/ A2	noun - notebook, small book
organizar /ɔɾɣaniˈsaɾ/ B1	verb - to organize
banda /ˈbanda/ A2	noun - band, group of musicians
sonar /soˈnar/ A2	verb - to sound, to ring
querer /keˈɾeɾ/ A2	verb - to want, to love
golpe /ˈgolpe/ A2	noun - blow, hit
buen /bwen/ A1	adjective - good

Key Grammar Structures

• Yo te doy gracias, mi papi

  ➔ Use of the indirect object pronoun 'te' with the verb 'doy' to express giving to someone.

  ➔ 'Te' is the indirect object pronoun meaning 'to you'.

• Prefiero levantar botes

  ➔ Use of the verb 'prefiero' (prefer) in the present tense followed by the infinitive 'levantar'.

  ➔ 'Prefiero' means 'I prefer' and is followed by an infinitive verb.

• Que le espera de su vida

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood 'espere' to express doubt, hope, or future expectation with 'que'.

  ➔ 'Espere' is the present subjunctive form of 'esperar', used here to express expectation or hope.

• Hay que dar el buen ejemplo

  ➔ Use of 'hay que' to express necessity or obligation to do something.

  ➔ 'Hay que' means 'it is necessary to', indicating a general obligation.

• Me puedo decir

  ➔ Use of the reflexive verb 'puedo decirme' to express 'I can tell myself' or 'You can tell me'.

  ➔ 'Puedo decirme' is a reflexive construction meaning 'I can tell myself' or 'You can tell me'.

• Me retira compadrito

  ➔ Use of the reflexive verb 'me retira' (me retiro) to indicate 'I am leaving'.

  ➔ 'Me retira' (from 'retirarse') is a reflexive verb meaning 'I am leaving' or 'I am retirng myself'.