La Perola Lyrics in English by Juan Farfan
Perola literally translates to "pot" or "cooking pot." While it might seem like an ordinary word, in the context of this song and Colombian slang, it takes on a more colorful meaning.
In the lyrics, the phrase "Vaya y meta su cuchara por allá en otra perola" (Go and stick your spoon in another pot over there) is a colloquial expression. It's a dismissive way of telling someone to mind their own business and not interfere in matters that don't concern them. It implies that the person should go meddle in someone else's affairs, or "stir another pot," rather than the singer's.
Juan Farfán's "La Perola" is a really fun, feisty song where he's basically telling off someone who's been gossiping about him. He starts by quoting a saying from his homeland: "el caballo cuando es bueno no encuentra requiere" [a good horse doesn't need a lot of fuss], implying that some people just love to talk, even if they're old. He's heard rumors that he "le taloneó a su patrona" [stole his boss's woman], and he's not having it!
He says he'll let time prove them wrong, and he's pretty blunt, suggesting this woman should "buscar dónde se acomoda porque yo creo que en mi pecho se le maltrata la cola" [find somewhere else to settle down because I think her tail gets hurt on my chest]. Ouch! He doesn't care if she's rich or poor, or if she gets her hopes up, because he doesn't have a girlfriend in Venezuela. He even calls her out directly, saying she's "mal de la memoria" [has a bad memory] and is now claiming to be a great composer. He's clearly amused by her bragging, but he makes it clear that when it comes to him, "conmigo manda la parrandera soñadora" [the partying dreamer woman is in charge with me], not her. He tells her to "meta su cuchara por allá en otra perola" [stick her spoon in another pot] – a very colorful way to say, mind your own business!
