El Carretero Lyrics in English Buena Vista Social Club

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Below, I translated the lyrics of the song El Carretero by Buena Vista Social Club from Spanish to English.

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Along the road to my place

A cheerful cart driver passed by

With his song so heartfelt

And like a country tune he sang with joy

I'm heading to the ferry

To unload the wagon

I'm heading to the ferry

To unload the wagon

To meet the goal

Of my humble work

On horseback we ride to the hills

I work without rest

So I can get married

'Cause I work without rest

So I can get married

And if I manage to do it

I'll be a happy country boy

On horseback we ride to the hills

I am a country boy and cart driver

And I live well in the countryside

Yeah, I'm a country boy and cart driver

And I live well in the countryside

Because the countryside is Eden

The prettiest in the whole world

On horseback we ride to the hills

Clear the brush, farm the plains

Harvest the fruit of your sweat

Clear the brush, farm the plains

Harvest the fruit of your sweat

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SONG MEANING

Hop into a horse-drawn cart and feel the warm Cuban sun on your face. “El Carretero” paints a lively picture of a countryside cart driver who sings while rolling down the road. His melody celebrates simple joys: guiding his horse toward the transbordador to unload his cart, dreaming of marriage, and finding pride in honest labor. The chant-like refrain “A caballo vamos pa'l monte” invites listeners to ride with him into the hills, where music, nature, and community blend into one carefree journey.

Under the surface, the song is a love letter to rural life. The carretero reminds us that the countryside is an earthly paradise where toil and reward go hand in hand. Each verse highlights a value he holds dear:

Hard work – he labors “sin reposo” so he can build a future.
Hope – marrying his sweetheart will make him “un guajiro dichoso,” a joyful farmer.
Harmony with the land – he urges everyone to “chapea el monte, cultiva el llano,” clear the brush, work the plains, and reap the fruits of their sweat.

Buena Vista Social Club’s warm guitar, gentle percussion, and nostalgic vocals turn this everyday story into a timeless Cuban anthem that celebrates perseverance, love, and the rustic beauty of the island.

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Buena Vista Social Club El Carretero Lyrics