Comando X – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Tito Torbellino, Alfredo Olivas

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of Mexican 'corridos' with "Comando X" by Tito Torbellino and Alfredo Olivas. This powerful song offers a window into the rich storytelling and colloquialisms of regional Mexican Spanish, particularly those used in narratives related to organized crime. Learning the lyrics and their context will not only enhance your vocabulary but also deepen your understanding of a significant cultural facet of Mexico. Its vivid imagery and compelling narrative make it a unique and impactful piece for language learners.

[English]

Come on, compa Alfredito Olivas, step on it!

The convoy arrived

The one with two Rs got out

The lord of the militia

He was going to see another boss

The call was urgent

And... this is what went down

Camouflaged

All of Chapo's people

In armored H1s

Six trucks packed with soldiers

They are escorting the boss

There can’t be any mistakes!

Ismael showed up

Manuel from Baja right behind

With Macho Prieto in tow

From a big, black ride

Antrax guarding the turf

And the meeting began!

Go on, compa Beto Sierra!

Let’s roll, partner!

Hit it, compa Tito

From the start all the way to Finiquera, look at it

Torbellino all the way!

Let’s get to the point

Buddy, this already blew up

They’re starting to come in on us

Let's find a way out!

We’ll put our forces together

We’ll create a battalion

I’m in agreement

I've got at my disposal

1300 shooters

Civilians for the squad

And endless grenades

Ammo... more than a million rounds!

Fantasma and Macho

You two are in charge

Our loyal armed right hands

We’ll form a commando unit

Everything set up just right

We’ll spring into action!

...

[Spanish]

¡Y jálese, compa Alfredito Olivas!

Llegó el convoy

Con dos erres se bajó

El señor de la milicia

Iba a ver a otro señor

La urgencia fue la llamada

Y... esto fue lo que pasó

Camuflajeados

Toda la gente del Chapo

En H1 blindados

Seis troques llenos de guachos

Al señor van escoltando

¡No debe de haber error!

Llegó Ismael

Detrás de Baja Manuel

Junto con el Macho Prieto

De un boludo grande y negro

Ántrax cuidando el terreno

¡Y la junta comenzó!

¡Y ándele, compa Beto Sierra!

¡Jálese, pariente!

Y péguele, compa Tito

De piquete hasta la Finiquera, mírelo

¡Y puro Torbellino!

Al grano voy

Compadre, esto ya explotó

Ya se nos están metiendo

¡Busquemos la solución!

Uniremos nuestras fuerzas

Crearemos un batallón

De acuerdo estoy

Tengo a mi disposición

1300 tirabalas

Civiles pa'l escuadrón

Y un sinfín de granadas

Cartuchos... ¡más de un millón!

Fantasma y Macho

Ustedes son encargados

Nuestros fieles brazos armados

Formaremos un comando

Todo bien estructurado

¡Entraremos en acción!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
convoy /konˈβoj/ B1	noun - a group of vehicles traveling together, especially for protection
milicia /miˈlisja/ B2	noun - a military force composed of ordinary citizens
urgencia /uɾˈxenθja/ B1	noun - the state of needing immediate action
camuflajeado /kamuˌflaˈxea.do/ B2	adjective - disguised or hidden by camouflage
blindado /blinˈðaðo/ B2	adjective - protected with armor
troque /ˈtɾoke/ A2	noun - truck (colloquial Mexican Spanish)
error /eˈror/ A1	noun - a mistake
ántrax /ˈan.tɾaks/ C1	noun - a serious infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis
terreno /teˈɾreno/ B1	noun - ground, land, or surface on which something can be placed
solución /so.luˈθjon/ B1	noun - the answer to a problem or puzzle
fuerza /ˈfweɾθa/ A2	noun - strength, power, or influence
batallón /ba.taˈʎon/ B2	noun - a military unit consisting of several companies
granada /ɡɾaˈnaða/ B2	noun - an explosive weapon thrown by hand
cartucho /kaɾˈtu.tʃo/ C1	noun - a container holding a bullet or other projectile
fantasma /fanˈtasma/ B1	noun - a ghost or spirit
comando /koˈmando/ B2	noun - a group of soldiers organized for a specific task
acción /akˈθjon/ A2	noun - the act of doing something; movement
explotar /eksploˈtaɾ/ B2	verb - to burst or cause to burst with a loud noise

Key Grammar Structures

• ¡Y jálese, compa Alfredito Olivas!

  ➔ Imperative form with a reflexive pronoun (colloquial).

  ➔ The verb "jálese" is the imperative of "jalarse" (to pull/jerk) with the reflexive pronoun "se" attached.

• Llegó el convoy

  ➔ Preterite simple to indicate a completed action in the past.

  ➔ The verb "Llegó" is the third‑person singular preterite of "llegar" (to arrive).

• Con dos erres se bajó

  ➔ Pronominal verb with "se" indicating an accidental or unplanned action.

  ➔ The reflexive pronoun "se" in "se bajó" adds a nuance of "he/she/it went down unintentionally".

• La urgencia fue la llamada

  ➔ Passive voice with "ser + past participle" to emphasize the result.

  ➔ "Fue" is the third‑person singular preterite of "ser" followed by the past participle "llamada".

• Camuflajeados toda la gente del Chapo

  ➔ Past participle used as an adjective after a noun (post‑nominal participle).

  ➔ "Camuflajeados" modifies "gente", meaning "the people were camouflaged".

• Al señor van escogiendo

  ➔ "Ir + gerundio" construction to express ongoing action (present progressive with "ir").

  ➔ "Van" (they go) + "escogiendo" (choosing) conveys "they are in the process of choosing".

• ¡No debe de haber error!

  ➔ Modal expression "debe de" + infinitive to express probability or conjecture.

  ➔ "Debe de" suggests that an error is unlikely: "there must not be an error".

• Ya se nos están metiendo

  ➔ Reflexive pronoun with "estar + gerundio" for present progressive passive.

  ➔ "Se" indicates that something is happening to us: "they are getting into us" (i.e., infiltrating).

• Uniremos nuestras fuerzas

  ➔ Future simple in first‑person plural (volitional) to express a planned collective action.

  ➔ "Uniremos" is the future form of "unir" (to unite) with the subject "nosotros" implied.

• Tengo a mi disposición 1300 tirabalas

  ➔ "Tener + a + noun" construction to express possession or availability of something.

  ➔ "Tengo" (I have) + "a mi disposición" (at my disposal) + the quantity expresses that the speaker possesses 1300 "tirabalas".