Mis Raíces – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Los Dos Carnales

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the powerful narrative of 'Mis Raíces' by Los Dos Carnales, a song that celebrates the enduring strength found in one's roots and upbringing. Through its authentic lyrics, you can explore themes of pride, hard work, and the importance of staying true to oneself, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural landscape of Regional Mexican music.

[English]

I'm ready to work, I don't have time to get tangled up, much less envy others

If they’re going to respect me face to face and bark behind my back, I know that's just how life is

If I was born among goats and cows, why do they get crazy over me?

A man in personality, because that’s how my dad taught me, never let it go to your head

Of all the things you’ll say, what comes out of your throat is held up by your teeth

That’s why I’m not ordinary, I don’t offend those around me

We wear big hats, wide and comfortable, with sandals and ranch life, humility is our foundation

In dusty streets, on horseback, with the youth, scared but happy

But the best part of my roots is that I’m never ashamed

And don’t back down, young ones

And only Los Dos Carnales, gentlemen

...

The shacks and old country roads, the canals and walnut trees were part of my story

I’m not one for fighting much, but to take care of myself, I carry a little iron

Respect is powerful and a good friend, and I say it straight

I never fall behind, we’re real men, not clowns, true ranchers with manners

My old folks looked out for me well, taught me good manners, my respect goes to my parents

They also told me: "Stay alert, if anyone tries to cause you harm"

Fly, little dove, you move so well, go tell all the young ones

Being born in a humble cradle is part of the teaching

Just so those who deny their roots get wise

...

[Spanish]

Ando listo para trabajar, no tengo tiempo de enredarme, menos andar con envidias

Si de frente me han de respetar y por la espalda han de ladrar, debo saber que así es la vida

Si nacimos entre chiva y vaca, para qué se me alucinan

Caballero en personalidad, porque así me enseñó mi apá, que no se me suba a la mente

De todas las cosas que dirás, lo que sale de tu garganta se sostiene con los dientes

Es por eso que no soy corriente, no agraviando a los presentes

Somos de sombrero a gusto ancho, de huaraches y de rancho, humildemente es el cimiento

Al tirante en calles empolvadas con toda la chavalada, aterrados y contentos

Pero lo mejor de mis raíces es que nunca me avergüenzo

Y no se raje, chavalada

Y puro Dos Carnales, señores

Los jacales y caminos reales, los canales y nogales fueron parte de mi libro

No soy hombre de mucho pelear, pero pa poderme cuidar, para eso me cargo un fierrito

El respeto es grande y buen amigo y en caliente se lo digo

Yo nunca me atraso, somos hombres no payasos, verdaderos rancheros y con modales

Mis viejones muy bien me cuidaron, buena crianza me inculcaron, mis respetos pa mis padres

También me dijeron: "ponte trucha, si quieren hacerte males"

Vuela, palomita, tú que andas muy alineada, ve y platícale a toda la chavalada

El haber nacido en cuna humilde es parte de la enseñanza

Nomás pa que se pongan la pila los que niegan a su raza

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
trabajar /tɾa.βaˈxaɾ/ A1	verb - to work
vida /ˈbi.ða/ A1	noun - life
respetar /re.speˈtaɾ/ A2	verb - to respect
mente /ˈmen.te/ A2	noun - mind
cosas /ˈko.sas/ A1	noun - things
calles /ˈka.ʝes/ A1	noun - streets
raíces /raˈi.θes/ B1	noun - roots
hombres /ˈom.bɾes/ A1	noun - men
padres /ˈpa.ðɾes/ A1	noun - parents
cuna /ˈku.na/ B2	noun - cradle noun - origin, birthplace
humilde /uˈmil.de/ B1	adjective - humble
enseñanza /en.seˈɲan.θa/ B1	noun - teaching, lesson
rancho /ˈran.tʃo/ A2	noun - ranch
modales /moˈða.les/ B1	noun - manners
respetos /resˈpe.tos/ B1	noun - respects

Key Grammar Structures

• Ando listo para trabajar, no tengo tiempo de enredarme, menos andar con envidias.

  ➔ Present continuous tense for ongoing actions.

  ➔ The phrase "Ando listo" uses the present continuous to indicate a current state of readiness.

• Si de frente me han de respetar y por la espalda han de ladrar.

  ➔ Conditional sentences to express hypothetical situations.

  ➔ The phrase "Si de frente me han de respetar" introduces a condition for respect.

• El respeto es grande y buen amigo y en caliente se lo digo.

  ➔ Use of adjectives to describe nouns.

  ➔ The phrase "El respeto es grande" uses the adjective "grande" to describe the noun "respeto."

• Mis viejones muy bien me cuidaron, buena crianza me inculcaron.

  ➔ Past tense to describe completed actions.

  ➔ The phrase "Mis viejones muy bien me cuidaron" uses the past tense to indicate that the action of caring is completed.

• El haber nacido en cuna humilde es parte de la enseñanza.

  ➔ Infinitive form to express actions or states.

  ➔ The phrase "El haber nacido" uses the infinitive to express the action of being born.

• Nomás pa que se pongan la pila los que niegan a su raza.

  ➔ Use of colloquial expressions for emphasis.

  ➔ The phrase "se pongan la pila" is a colloquial way to say 'get energized' or 'get serious.'