LA LLAMABAN MARÍA – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: José José
• Album: Distancia

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey with José José's "LA LLAMABAN MARÍA," a timeless ballad that offers a beautiful window into the nuances of romantic Spanish. Through its heartfelt lyrics and melodic storytelling, you can explore expressions of love, nostalgia, and cherished memories. The song's clear narrative and emotional depth make it an ideal piece for learners to connect with Spanish culture and vocabulary, truly appreciating the 'Prince of Song's' unparalleled artistry.

[English]

I met her at a dance

They called her María

On a beautiful full‑moon night

I was with friends

And everything was joy

When suddenly she looked at me

I returned her gaze

Offering mine

Letting my heart run free

In that moment I felt

That love was right in front of me

That what I had dreamed of I had found

That my time to love had arrived

That it was worth the wait

And to live with her always by my side

I embraced her body

While dancing with her

And my heart gave her my love that night

Everything was beautiful

I talked with her

And we went together walking under the stars

...

I met her at a dance

They called her María

On a beautiful full‑moon night

I was with friends

And everything was joy

When suddenly she looked at me

I returned her gaze

Offering mine

Letting my heart run free

In that moment I felt

That love was right in front of me

That what I had dreamed of I had found

That my time to love had arrived

That it was worth the wait

And to live with her always by my side

I embraced her body

While dancing with her

And my heart gave her my love that night

Everything was beautiful

I talked with her

And we went together walking under the stars

I embraced her body

While dancing with her

And my heart gave her my love that night

Everything was beautiful

I talked with her

And we went together walking under the stars

I embraced her body

While dancing with her

...

[Spanish]

La conocí en un baile

La llamaban María

Una noche hermosa de luna llena

Yo estaba con amigos

Y todo era alegría

Cuando de repente ella me miró

Acepté su mirada

Ofreciendo la mía

Dando rienda suelta a mi corazón

En aquel momento sentí

Que el amor estaba ante mí

Que lo que soñaba lo había encontrado

Que llego mi tiempo de amar

Que valió la pena esperar

Y vivir con ella siempre a mi lado

Abracé a su cuerpo

Al bailar con ella

Y mi corazón le entrego mi amor en la noche aquella

Todo fue bonito

Platiqué con ella

Y nos fuimos juntos a caminar bajo las estrellas

La conocí en un baile

La llamaban María

Una noche hermosa de luna llena

Yo estaba con amigos

Y todo era alegría

Cuando de repente ella me miró

Acepté su mirada

Ofreciendo la mía

Dando rienda suelta a mi corazón

En aquel momento sentí

Que el amor estaba ante mí

Que lo que soñaba lo había encontrado

Que llego mi tiempo de amar

Que valió la pena esperar

Y vivir con ella siempre a mi lado

Abracé a su cuerpo

Al bailar con ella

Y mi corazón le entrego mi amor en la noche aquella

Todo fue bonito

Platiqué con ella

Y nos fuimos juntos a caminar bajo las estrellas

Abracé a su cuerpo

Al bailar con ella

Y mi corazón le entrego mi amor en la noche aquella

Todo fue bonito

Platiqué con ella

Y nos fuimos juntos a caminar bajo las estrellas

Abracé a su cuerpo

Al bailar con ella

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
conocí ko.no.ˈsi A2	verb - to meet/know in the past
baile ˈbai.le A1	noun - dance/party
hermosa er.ˈmo.sa A2	adjective - very beautiful
llena ˈʎe.na A1	adjective - full, complete
alegría a.le.ˈɡɾi.a A1	noun - happiness, joy
miró mi.ˈɾo A2	verb - to look in the past
ofreciendo o.fre.ˈθjen.do B1	verb - to offer
rienda ˈrjen.da B1	noun - rein
suelta ˈsweλ.ta A2	adjective - loose, free
sentí sen.ˈti A2	verb - to feel in the past
amor a.ˈmor A1	noun - love
soñaba so.ˈɲa.ba A2	verb - to dream in the past
valió ba.ˈʎo A2	verb - to be worth in the past
abracé a.βɾa.ˈse A2	verb - to hug in the past
entregó en.tre.ˈɣo B1	verb - to give in the past
bonito bo.ˈni.to A1	adjective - pretty, nice
platiqué pla.ti.ˈke A2	verb - to chat in the past
caminar ka.mi.ˈnar A1	verb - to walk
estrellas es.tre.ˈʎas A1	noun - stars

Key Grammar Structures

• La conocí en un baile

  ➔ Preterite tense

  ➔ The verb 'conocí' is in the preterite tense, indicating a completed action in the past ('I met her').

• La llamaban María

  ➔ Imperfect tense

  ➔ The verb 'llamaban' is in the imperfect tense, describing an ongoing or habitual action in the past ('They used to call her María').

• Cuando de repente ella me miró

  ➔ Subjunctive mood

  ➔ The verb 'miró' is in the preterite tense, but the clause introduces a contrast or unexpected event ('When suddenly she looked at me').

• Dando rienda suelta a mi corazón

  ➔ Gerund

  ➔ The gerund 'dando' is used to describe an action happening at the same time as the main verb ('Giving free rein to my heart').

• Que el amor estaba ante mí

  ➔ Subordinate clause with 'que'

  ➔ The clause 'que el amor estaba ante mí' is a subordinate clause introduced by 'que', expressing a feeling or realization ('That love was before me').