El Juan – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Diego Herrera, Humberto Herrera

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the poignant story of "El Juan," a regional Mexican ballad by Diego Herrera and Humberto Herrera. Through its evocative lyrics and heartfelt melody, the song celebrates the deep bond between a man and his horse, a treasured gift from his father. It's a beautiful glimpse into Mexican equestrian culture and a testament to the lasting power of cherished memories, offering a musical journey into themes of love, legacy, and the spirit of the horse.

[English]

He arrived when I finally turned ten

I had been waiting for him since I was three

He will be yours, you just have to know

That he will take care of you and you will take care of him

Thank you, Dad, I'll never forget it (Son)

How about we call him Juan?

(Sounds good to me)

I gave you a horse

Much faster than lightning

That's how that dapple grey was, who became your friend

Always ready to lasso

And grab girls

Because on his back I was able to charm many

Always very well saddled

He was a Creole, but fierce

As agile as any, he never lost a race

He was my dad's inheritance

I'll never forget you

That beautiful, fine horse I've come to sing about

Was born in Culiacan

...

I gave you a horse

Much faster than lightning

That's how that dapple grey was, who became your friend

Always ready to lasso

And grab girls

Because on his back I was able to charm many

Always very well saddled

He was a Creole, but fierce

As agile as any, he never lost a race

He was my dad's inheritance

I'll never forget you

That beautiful, fine horse I've come to sing about

Was born in Culiacan

...

[Spanish]

El llego cuando cumplí al fin los diez

Lo esperaba desde que tenía tres

Será tuyo sólo debes de saber

Que él te cuidara y tu cuidaras de él

Te doy las gracias papá nunca lo voy a olvidar (Hombre mijo)

Te parece si lo llamamos el Juan

(Me parece correcto)

Yo te regale un caballo

Mucho más veloz que un rayo

Así era ese tordillo que se convirtió en tu amigo

Siempre listo pa' lazar

Y morritas agarrar

Porque a varias en sus lomos yo las pude enamorar

Siempre muy bien ensillado

Fue criollito pero bravo

Ligero como cualquiera no perdió ni una carrera

Fue la herencia de mi apá

Nunca te voy a olvidar

Ese hermoso cuaco fino del que les vengo a cantar

Es nacido en Culiacán

Yo te regale un caballo

Mucho más veloz que un rayo

Así era ese tordillo que se convirtió en tu amigo

Siempre listo pa' lazar

Y morritas agarrar

Porque a varias en sus lomos yo las pude enamorar

Siempre muy bien ensillado

Fue criollito pero bravo

Ligero como cualquiera no perdió ni una carrera

Fue la herencia de mi apá

Nunca te voy a olvidar

Ese hermoso cuaco fino del que les vengo a cantar

Es nacido en Culiacán

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
llegar /ʝeˈɣaɾ/ A2	verb - to arrive
cumplir /kumˈpliɾ/ B1	verb - to turn (a age), to fulfill (a promise or duty)
esperar /espeˈɾaɾ/ A2	verb - to wait for, to hope
cuidar /kwiˈðaɾ/ A2	verb - to take care of
gracias /ˈɡɾaθjas/ A1	noun - thanks
llamamos /ʝaˈma.mos/ B1	verb - we call (someone or something)
caballo /kaˈβaʎo/ A2	noun - horse
rápido /ˈrapiðo/ B1	adjective - fast, quick
tordillo /tɔɾˈdiʝo/ B2	noun - small horse (pony)
amigo /aˈmiɣo/ A2	noun - friend
ensillado /ensijaˈðo/ B2	adjective/verb - saddled (equipped with a saddle)
criollito /kɾi.oˈʝi.to/ B2	noun/adjective - small native (horse), native-born
bravo /ˈbɾaβo/ A2	adjective - brave, fierce, lively
herencia /eɾˈÞenθja/ B2	noun - inheritance