Quimbara – English Lyrics

• By: Celia Cruz
• Album: Celia y Johnny

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of salsa with "Quimbara" by Celia Cruz, a song that encapsulates the joy and rhythm of Latin music. This lively track offers a fantastic opportunity to explore common Spanish phrases related to celebration and dancing, and to appreciate the African influences within the Spanish language, making your language learning journey both fun and culturally enriching.

[English]

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Eeh mama, eeh mama, eeh mama

La rumba me esta llamando

Bombo dile que ya voy

Que se espere un momentico

Mientras canto un guaguancó

Dile que no es un desprecio

Pues vive en mi corazón

Mi vida es tan solo eso

Rumba buena y guaguancó

Eeh mama, eeh mama, azuca

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Ay, si quieres gozar, si quieres bailar

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Ay lo baila María también Joseito

Quimbara quimbara quma bajito

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Ay lo baila María también Joseito

Quimbara quimbara quma bajito

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Ay Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Ajá! Vamonos pa'lla! Eh! Ja!

Ay Dios mío, Dios mio

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Ay lo baila Teresa lo baila Joseito

Quimbara qumbara quma bajito, bajito, bajito

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

Quimbara quimbara quma quimbamba

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rumba /ˈrʌm.bə/ A2	noun - a lively dance of Afro-Cuban origin
corazón /koɾaˈθon/ A2	noun - heart
bailar /baiˈlaɾ/ A1	verb - to dance
vida /ˈbiː.də/ A1	noun - life
llamar /ʝaˈmaɾ/ A2	verb - to call
guzmán /ɡuzˈman/ B1	noun - a type of Cuban dance
azúcar /aˈθu.kaɾ/ A2	noun - sugar
momentico /mo.mentiˈko/ B1	noun - a little moment
desprecio /desˈpɾe.θjo/ B2	noun - disdain or contempt
quimbara /kimˈbaɾa/ C1	noun - a term associated with Afro-Cuban music and dance

Key Grammar Structures

• Mientras canto un guaguancó

  ➔ Use of the present tense 'canto' with 'mientras' to indicate an ongoing action happening simultaneously with another.

  ➔ 'Mientas' means 'while' in Spanish, and combined with the present tense verb, it indicates an action occurring simultaneously.

• Eeh mama, eeh mama

  ➔ Use of interjections to express emotion and draw attention in speech, often repeated for emphasis.

  ➔ Interjections like 'Eeh mama' express emotion and are often repeated for emphasis or rhythm.

• Que se espere un momentico

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood 'se espere' after 'que' to express a desire or request.

  ➔ 'Se espere' is the subjunctive form of 'esperar', used here after 'que' to indicate a wish or request.

• Mi vida es tan solo eso

  ➔ Use of 'es' (the present tense of 'ser') to describe a defining characteristic or identity.

  ➔ 'Es' (is) indicates a defining or essence quality of the subject, akin to stating 'it is that' in English.

• Ay lo baila María también Joseito

  ➔ Use of the third person verb 'baila' to describe someone else's action, with 'también' indicating 'also'.

  ➔ 'Baila' is third person singular present indicative of 'bailar' (to dance). 'También' means 'also' or 'too', indicating inclusion.