La Bamba – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Los Lobos
• Album: La Bamba

Lyrics & Translation

Immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of "La Bamba" by Los Lobos, a legendary song that bridges Mexican folk traditions with rock and roll energy. Learning Spanish phrases through its simple yet iconic lyrics offers a fun and engaging way to connect with the language and rich cultural heritage of Veracruz, Mexico. This song is special not only for its catchy rhythm but also for its historical significance as the first Spanish-language song to hit #1 in the U.S., making it a powerful and joyful entry point into Spanish language and culture.

[English]

To dance the Bamba

To dance the Bamba you need a little bit of grace

A little bit of grace for me, for you, oh up top and up top

Oh up top and up top I’ll be for you, for you, for you

I’m not a sailor

I’m not a sailor, I’m the captain

I’m the captain, I’m the captain

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba

To dance the Bamba

To dance the Bamba you need a little bit of grace

A little bit of grace for me, for you, oh up top and up top

...

To dance the Bamba

To dance the Bamba you need a little bit of grace

A little bit of grace for me, for you, oh up top and up top

Oh up top and up top I’ll be for you, for you, for you

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

...

[Spanish]

Para bailar la bamba

Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia

Una poca de gracia pa' mi pa' ti, ay arriba y arriba

Ay arriba y arriba por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré

Yo no soy marinero

Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán

Soy capitán, soy capitán

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba

Para bailar la bamba

Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia

Una poca de gracia pa' mi pa' ti, ay arriba y arriba

Para bailar la bamba

Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia

Una poca de gracia pa' mi pa' ti, ay arriba y arriba

Ay arriba y arriba por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
bailar /baiˈlaɾ/ A1	verb - to dance
gracia /ˈɡɾaθja/ A2	noun - grace, charm
marinero /maɾiˈneɾo/ B1	noun - sailor
capitán /kapiˈtan/ B1	noun - captain
arriba /aˈriβa/ A2	adverb - up, above
seré /seˈɾe/ A2	verb - I will be
poca /ˈpoka/ A2	adjective - little, few
bamba /ˈbamba/ A1	noun - a type of dance or music

Key Grammar Structures

• Para bailar la bamba

  ➔ Infinitive as a noun. The infinitive verb 'bailar' (to dance) is used with 'para' (in order to/for) to express purpose.

  ➔ The phrase "Para "bailar" la bamba" means "In order "to dance" the bamba". 'Para' indicates the reason or purpose for something.

• se necesita una poca de gracia

  ➔ Impersonal 'se' construction. 'Se necesita' means 'it is needed' or 'one needs'.

  ➔ "Se necesita" indicates that something is required in a general sense, without specifying who needs it. "Una poca de gracia" means "a little bit of grace".

• pa' mi pa' ti

  ➔ Contraction of 'para' to 'pa''. Informal language. Preposition 'para' with pronouns.

  ➔ This is a colloquial shortening of "para mi, para ti", meaning "for me, for you".

• por ti seré

  ➔ Future simple tense. 'Seré' is the first-person singular future form of the verb 'ser' (to be). 'Por' indicates reason or motivation.

  ➔ "Por ti seré" translates to "For you, I will be". It implies a transformation or a change motivated by someone else.

• Yo no soy marinero

  ➔ Negative sentence structure with 'no' and 'ser'. 'Soy' is the first person singular present tense of the verb 'ser' (to be).

  ➔ "Yo no soy marinero" means "I am not a sailor". 'No' negates the statement.