Murciélago – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Porter
• Album: Apocalypto

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a captivating journey with Porter's "Murciélago," a rich tapestry of sound and meaning from Mexico. This song offers a unique opportunity to explore Spanish as it delves into profound historical and spiritual themes, particularly the Spanish conquest and indigenous prophecy. Its evocative lyrics, like "Hay 3 naves, traen a Cristo," provide powerful phrases for language learners, while the band's experimental indie rock style makes it a compelling listen. Discover how language can convey complex narratives and emotions through this special track.

[English]

Oh, it's so hot!

I want to vomit out this pain, this pain

I'm tired of this long walk

(Oaaah, ooooh)

I’m going (going) to fly (to fly)

With the sacred bird

Guide me, Quetzal

Oe-oh, oh-oh

Take me to the end

Oe-oh, oh-oh

...

Come out to the sea, I beg you

The elders had foreseen it

They don’t come in peace, screams are heard

There are three ships, they bring Christ

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh

...

Guide me, Quetzal

Oe-oh, oh-oh

Take me to the end

Oe-oh, ooh

...

Come out to the sea, I beg you

...

There are three ships, they bring Christ

They don’t come in peace, screams are heard

The elders had foreseen it

Take me to the end

Oe-oh, oh-oh

Take me to the end

Oe-oh, ooh

[Spanish]

¡Ay, qué calor!

Quiero vomitar este dolor, este dolor

Cansado voy de este caminar tan largo

(Oaaah, ooooh)

Voy (voy) a volar (a volar)

Con el ave sagrada

Guíame, Quetzal

Oe-oh, oh-oh

Viájame al final

Oe-oh, oh-oh

Salgan al mar, les suplico

Los abuelos lo habían visto

No vienen en paz, se oyen gritos

Hay tres naves, traen a Cristo

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh

Guíame, Quetzal

Oe-oh, oh-oh

Viájame al final

Oe-oh, ooh

Salgan al mar, les suplico

Hay tres naves, traen a Cristo

No vienen en paz, se oyen gritos

Los abuelos lo habían visto

Viájame al final

Oe-oh, oh-oh

Viájame al final

Oe-oh, ooh

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
vomitar bo.miˈtar A2	verb - to vomit
cansado kanˈsa.ðo A1	adjective - tired
caminar kamiˈnar A1	verb - to walk
volar boˈlar A1	verb - to fly
sagrada saˈɣɾa.ða A2	adjective - sacred
guíame ɡiˈa.me A2	verb - guide me
Quetzal keˈtsal B1	noun - a colorful bird from Mesoamerica
viájame biˈa.xa.me B2	verb - take me on a journey
suplico suˈpli.ko B1	verb - I beg
abuelos aˈβwe.los A1	noun - grandparents
naves ˈna.βes A2	noun - ships
Cristo ˈkɾis.to A1	noun - Christ
gritos ˈɡɾi.tos A2	noun - shouts

Key Grammar Structures

• ¡Ay, qué calor!

  ➔ Exclamatory sentence with interjection and adjective.

  ➔ "¡Ay!" is an interjection expressing feeling (here, discomfort due to heat). "Qué" intensifies the adjective "calor" (heat).

• Cansado voy de este caminar tan largo

  ➔ Inversion of subject and verb for emphasis, use of 'tan' to intensify an adjective.

  ➔ The typical order would be 'Voy cansado...', but inverting it emphasizes the feeling of being tired. "Tan" intensifies "largo" (long).

• Guíame, Quetzal

  ➔ Imperative mood (command), vocative case.

  ➔ "Guíame" is a command (imperative) meaning 'guide me'. "Quetzal" is being directly addressed (vocative).

• No vienen en paz, se oyen gritos

  ➔ Negative present indicative, reflexive verb ('se oyen').

  ➔ "No vienen" is a negative statement about their arrival. "Se oyen" is a passive reflexive construction meaning 'cries are heard'.