Quinto Patio Ska – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Maldita Vecindad y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio
• Album: Circular Colectivo

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heart of Mexico City through 'Quinto Patio Ska.' This song is a perfect tool for learning colloquial Mexican Spanish and 'chilango' slang, while experiencing the vibrant fusion of Ska and Latin rhythms that defined a generation of urban rebellion.

[English]

I was in the damn neighborhood

And from the rooftop, I watched the barrio

I saw Solín on the corner hopping like a grasshopper

Over broken bottles

Across the street, there was an organ grinder going round and round

Collecting a few coins

He was thinking about his days as an undocumented immigrant

When a dark-skinned girl stole his heart

Down in a supermarket

I know Rafael, Carlos's friend

And every day I watch through the window

The skater zooming by, tagging the walls

And Toño playing his trumpet

While the crocodile rolls up, burning rubber

Woman, don't pay attention to appearances

Watch out for the pimp acting like a chameleon

Street party

Barrio music

Welcome, if you come in peace

Street party

Barrio music

Everybody, let's enjoy ourselves

Songs that fill you with emotion

Rhythm, melody, music, life

The neighborhood, the night, and the party

Work and hustle, the music that plays

Bodies coming together in pairs

Dancing and enjoying

In circles of peace

Patillo

Quinto Patio Ska

So that's why I grabbed my backpack

And like a street dog

I started roaming around

Dancing amidst music and culture

Languages and colors

Life and diversity

Listen to the voices of the people

Crying out for justice

For peace and dignity

Brothers, music is the bridge

Where, despite being different

We can find each other

Street party

Barrio music

Welcome, if you come in peace

Street party

Barrio music

Everybody, let's enjoy ourselves

To dance and to enjoy

Because the street is ours

Street party

Barrio music

Everybody, let's enjoy ourselves

[Spanish]

Estaba en la maldita vecindad

Y desde la azotea contemplaba el barrio

Veía en la esquina al solin brincar cual chapulín

Sobre botellas rotas

Enfrente había un organillero con su vuelta tras vuelta

Juntaba unas monedas

Pensaba en sus tiempos de mojado

Cuando uno morenaza le robo el corazón

Abajo en un supermercado

Conozco a Rafael el amigo de Carlos

Y a diario miro por la ventana

Volar al patineto tatuando las paredes

Y Toño tocando su trompeta

Mientras el cocodrilo llega quemando llanta

Mujer no hagas caso de apariencias

Cuidado con el chulo que anda de camaleón

Fiesta de la calle

Música del barrio

Bienvenido si vienes en paz

Fiesta de la calle

Música del barrio

Todo el mundo a gozar

Canciones que llenan de emoción

Ritmo, melodía, música, la vida

El barrio, la noche y la fiesta

La chamba y el chante la música que suena

Los cuerpos que se unen en parejas

Bailando y gozando

En círculos de paz

Patillo

Quinto patio ska

Por eso agarre mi mochila

Y como un pata de perro

Me puse a rolar

Bailando entre música y cultura

Lenguajes y colores

Vida y diversidad

Escucha las voces de la gente

Que claman por justicia

Por paz y dignidad

Carnales la música es el puente

Donde siendo distintos

Nos podemos encontrar

Fiesta de la calle

Música del barrio

Bienvenido si vienes en paz

Fiesta de la calle

Música del barrio

Todo el mundo a gozar

A bailar y a gozar

Que la calle es nuestra

Fiesta de la calle

Música del barrio

Todo el mundo a gozar

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
vecindad be-sin-dad B2	noun - neighborhood or tenement building
azotea a-so-te-a B2	noun - rooftop
barrio ba-rjo A2	noun - neighborhood
chapulín cha-pu-lin C2	noun - grasshopper
organillero or-ga-ni-ye-ro C2	noun - organ grinder
mojado mo-ha-do B1	noun - undocumented migrant (slang)
tatuando ta-twan-do B2	verb - tattooing
chulo chu-lo B2	noun/adjective - pimp or flashy/arrogant person
camaleón ka-ma-le-on B2	noun - chameleon
gozar go-sar B1	verb - to enjoy
chamba cham-ba C1	noun - job/work (slang)
chante chan-te C1	noun - home/house (slang)
rolar ro-lar B2	verb - to hang out, go around, or roll
claman kla-man C1	verb - to cry out, clamor
dignidad dig-ni-dad B2	noun - dignity