"Mandimbo" is a love song built out of nature imagery, and Lila Downs sings it like a folk song from the Mexican coast. The opening line, "Hoja palo de mandimbo" (leaf, stick of mandimbo), names a tree or plant, and she compares it straight away to "la piel del que quiero" (the skin of the one I love).
The lover becomes a tree. She sees "un brillo en tus ojos negros, como de salvaje cuervo" (a shine in your black eyes, like a wild crow's) "en las ramas de tu cuerpo" (in the branches of your body). In the chorus his moon shows "entre las ramas" (between the branches), and he is "ese árbol de mi esperanza" (that tree of my hope). "Ya me ganaste, tu ternura" (you've won me over, your tenderness) is her giving in.
There's a small warning in the middle too: "la discordia crece cuando no hay perdón" (discord grows when there's no forgiveness). The last line asks the tree to "mantente firme" (stand firm), which works as a wish for the relationship.
Word to learn: "añoranza" means longing or nostalgia for someone or something you miss.
Ana Lila Downs Sánchez, known professionally as Lila Downs, is a captivating Mexican singer-songwriter from Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca. Born on September 9, 1968, she masterfully blends traditional Mexican music with Latin rock, infusing her songs with indigenous languages like Mixtec, Zapotec, Mayan, Nahuatl, and Purépecha. Her distinctive voice and powerful storytelling highlight social issues such as immigration and indigenous rights, earning her international acclaim.
Lila's music is deeply rooted in her multicultural heritage, drawing inspiration from her Mixtec mother and Scottish-American father. Throughout her career, she has released numerous acclaimed albums including "La Sandunga," "Border," and "Pecados y milagros," winning a Grammy Award and multiple Latin Grammys. Beyond her artistry, Lila Downs is celebrated for her vibrant fashion and activism, making her a bold cultural icon in contemporary Latin music.