Forgive or Forget – English Lyrics

• By: Mariachi El Bronx
• Album: Mariachi El Bronx IV

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the passionate world of mariachi music through Mariachi El Bronx's "Forgive or Forget." This song offers a unique opportunity to learn Spanish vocabulary related to emotions and introspection, all while being carried by a powerful and energetic melody. The blend of traditional Mexican folk music with a modern punk-rock sensibility makes it a truly special and engaging way to experience the Spanish language.

[English]

Strike a nerve til you find a vein

Now I see your face in the rain

Raise your glass cause its time to toast

To the ones we all hurt the most

The devil can not be controlled

I can't lie

I still think about you all the time

Some might say that those were the best days of our lives

There's always a price that has to be paid

For desperately dreaming and wasting away

Let me drink

Let me drown

Let me sink

And never be found

The Devil can not be consoled

I can't lie

I still think about you all the time

Some might say that those were the best days of our lives

Theres always a price that has to be paid

For desperately dreaming and wasting away

Every one knows you get what you give

So learn to forget or learn to forgive

The Devil can not be consoled

I can't lie

I still think about you all the time

Some might say that those were the best days of our lives

Theres always a price that has to be paid

For desperately dreaming and wasting away

Every one knows you get what you give

So learn to forget or learn to forgive

Theres always a price that has to be paid

For desperately dreaming and wasting away

Every one knows you get what you give

So learn to forget or learn to forgive

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
strike /straɪk/ B1	verb - to hit or collide with
nerve /nɜːrv/ B2	noun - a bundle of fibers that transmits impulses in the body noun - boldness or audacity
toast /toʊst/ A2	verb - to raise a glass in honor of someone
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - to cause physical pain or emotional distress
devil /ˈdɛvəl/ A1	noun - an evil spirit or force
controlled /kənˈtroʊld/ B1	verb - to exercise restraint or direction over
desperately /ˈdɛspərətli/ B2	adverb - in a way that shows despair or urgency
dreaming /ˈdriːmɪŋ/ A2	verb - to have a series of thoughts, images, or emotions in sleep
wasting /ˈweɪstɪŋ/ B1	verb - to use or expend thoughtlessly
drown /draʊn/ A2	verb - to die by suffocation in water
consoled /kənˈsoʊld/ B2	verb - to comfort someone in sorrow or disappointment
price /praɪs/ A1	noun - the amount of money expected for something
forgive /fərˈɡɪv/ A2	verb - to stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone
forget /fərˈɡɛt/ A1	verb - to be unable to remember
vein /veɪn/ B2	noun - a blood vessel that carries blood to the heart

Key Grammar Structures

• Strike a nerve till you find a vein

  ➔ Imperative with result clause

  ➔ The verb "Strike" gives a command, and the clause "till you find a vein" shows the outcome or goal.

• Now I see your face in the rain

  ➔ Present tense for current realization

  ➔ The speaker uses "see" in simple present to express a vivid emotional realization happening now.

• Raise your glass cause it's time to toast

  ➔ Imperative with causal clause

  ➔ "Raise" gives a command; "cause it's time to toast" explains the reason.

• The devil cannot be controlled

  ➔ Passive voice using modal

  ➔ "Cannot be controlled" uses the passive form with a modal verb to show impossibility.

• I still think about you all the time

  ➔ Present simple with frequency adverb

  ➔ "Still" emphasizes continuity of emotional thinking.

• Some might say that those were the best days of our lives

  ➔ Modal verb with reported speech

  ➔ "Might say" expresses possibility or opinion indirectly, making the tone softer.

• There's always a price that has to be paid

  ➔ Relative clause with passive infinitive

  ➔ The clause "that has to be paid" defines "price" and uses a necessity modal phrase in passive form.

• Let me drink, let me drown

  ➔ Imperative with let + object + base verb

  ➔ "Let me" expresses a plea or request for permission, often emotional or self-directed.

• Everyone knows you get what you give

  ➔ Zero conditional for general truth

  ➔ "You get what you give" is a cause–effect truth using present tense in both clauses.

• Learn to forget or learn to forgive

  ➔ Parallel infinitive structure

  ➔ Two balanced phrases "learn to forget" and "learn to forgive" create rhythm and contrast between actions.