Quimbombo – English Lyrics

• By: Willie Colon
• Album: El Malo

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the infectious rhythms of Willie Colon's "Quimbombo," a classic boogaloo track that offers a fantastic entry point into the rich tapestry of Latin music. This song is special for its energetic blend of traditional Afro-Caribbean sounds and its call to dance, making it an excellent way to connect with the vibrant cultural expressions embedded in the Spanish language and its musical heritage. Through its lively lyrics and rhythms, you can experience the joyous spirit of salsa and the cultural significance of terms like "quimbombo" (okra), which holds deep culinary and historical roots in Afro-Latino communities.

[English]

Quimbombo quiere [00:35.733] guararay.

¡Eh! que rico está [00:38.613] para bailar

Quimbombo tiene, que [00:40.793] tiene, tiene [00:41.713] guarará.

¡Eh! que [00:44.413] mozambique mozanco

Camina Lola y [00:47.713] bailalo tú como yo.

¡Eh! [00:50.733] rumbacuyi, rumbacuyá

Cachimba ahora que [00:55.483] préndela, que voy pa'lla.

¡Oye! que [00:59.453] quiquiriquí, suelta el pañuelo

Prende el tabaco que voy pa'l [01:04.853] suelo.

¡Eh! [01:07.553] Quimbombaye mi Yemayá

Juega Changó que [01:11.803] rico está quimbombo.

¡Eh! y [01:15.223] veré y veré y veré y [01:18.433] vera

Quimbombo tiene, que [01:20.163] tiene, tiene [01:21.163] guarará.

Guara y que guara y que [01:25.603] guara mi guarará

Quimbombo tiene, que [01:27.393] tiene, tiene [01:28.383] guarará

Quimbombo quiere [01:30.893] guararay,

Quimbombo quiere [01:35.573] guararay.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Quimbombo /kɪmˈbɒmboʊ/ C1	noun - A term used in Afro-Cuban music and culture, often referring to a dance or rhythm.
guararay /ɡwɑːrɑːˈreɪ/ C2	noun - A term used in Afro-Cuban music, often associated with celebration or festivity.
bailar /bɑːiˈlɑːr/ A2	verb - to dance
mozambique /ˌmoʊzæmˈbik/ B1	noun - A country in Southeast Africa, also used in Afro-Cuban music to refer to a specific rhythm.
Camina /kəˈmiːnə/ A2	verb - to walk
rumbacuyi /ˌrʊmbəˈkuːji/ C1	noun - A term used in Afro-Cuban music, often referring to a lively dance or rhythm.
Cachimba /kəˈtʃɪmbə/ B2	noun - A type of pipe or instrument used in Afro-Cuban music.
quiquiriquí /ˌkiːkiːriːˈkiː/ C1	noun - An onomatopoeic term mimicking the sound of a rooster, used in Afro-Cuban music.
Yemayá /ˌjɛməˈjɑː/ C2	noun - A Yoruba deity associated with the ocean, revered in Afro-Cuban religions.
Changó /tʃæŋˈɡoʊ/ B2	noun - A Yoruba deity associated with thunder and lightning, revered in Afro-Cuban religions.