Los Mandados Lyrics in English by Los Tigres del Norte

Mandados literally translates to "errands" or "favors." It's a common word, but its use in this song is particularly interesting and takes on a deeper, more defiant meaning.

In the context of "Los Mandados," the phrase "A mi me hizo los mandados" (He did my errands for me) is a powerful idiom. It means that despite all the obstacles and attempts to stop him, the protagonist ultimately outsmarted and overcame the immigration authorities, making them, in a sense, do his bidding or fail in their efforts against him. It's a clever and memorable way to express triumph over adversity.

Get ready to meet a true legend in "Los Mandados"! This song tells the story of an incredibly persistent individual who crosses the US-Mexico border again and again, no matter how many times he's caught. He swims the Rio Grande, gets sent back from Nogales, then Juarez, and even tries to disguise himself as an American, dyeing his hair blonde! But, as he says, "como no hablaba ingles / Que me retachan de nuevo" [since I didn't speak English / They sent me back again].

What I love about this song is the sheer defiance and humor. He claims the immigration officers caught him "Trescientas veces digamos" [three hundred times, let's say], but they never broke his spirit. In fact, he boldly declares, "Pero jamas me domó / A mi me hizo los mandados" [But it never tamed me / It ran errands for me]. He knows all the routes, from Tijuana to Reynosa, and Matamoros to Juarez, showing a deep familiarity with the borderlands. It's a powerful and unforgettable tale of resilience.