La Nostalgia De Poncho Lyrics in English Carlos Vives

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Below, I translated the lyrics of the song La Nostalgia De Poncho by Carlos Vives from Spanish to English.

From the pretty regions of Manaure

From the tasty Manaurean savannas

From the pretty regions of Manaure

From the tasty Manaurean savannas

And there comes Poncho on Monday morning

Crying with nostalgia for his beloved land

And there comes Poncho on Monday morning

Crying with nostalgia for his beloved land

Very often, early on Saturdays

They see that he leaves El Valle for La Paz

Very often, early on Saturdays

They see that he leaves El Valle for La Paz

And a little later he passes by La Tomita

Manaure's close, you can already feel the cool breeze

And a little later he passes by La Tomita

Manaure's close, you can already feel the cool breeze

Ay, he's so happy when he sets out

Man, poor Poncho on his way to Manaure

But on Mondays he comes back

Man, all filled with sadness

And it's because he leaves behind in the savanna

Man, three little monkeys that call him

They're three little sons that he leaves in the savanna

They're three little monkeys that I knew of his

They're three little sons that he leaves in the savanna

They're three little monkeys that I knew of his

And now I understand the reason for the nostalgia

That torments his soul when he comes from there

And now I understand the reason for the nostalgia

That torments his soul when he comes from there

Ay, he's so happy when he sets out

Man, poor Poncho on his way to Manaure

But on Mondays he comes back

Man, all filled with sadness

And it's because he leaves behind in the savanna

Man, three little monkeys that call him

And it's because he leaves behind in the savanna

Man, three little monkeys that call him

How lucky, Poncho, that November is already coming

And the Loperena's gonna shut down soon

And on vacation with roosters and with friends

In your beloved town you're gonna get even

And on vacation with roosters and with friends

In your beloved town you're gonna get even

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Lyrics © KLAIM MUSIC, Spirit Music Group

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monitos — little monkeys

Monitos literally translates to "little monkeys." While it can refer to actual monkeys, in many Spanish-speaking cultures, it's also a tender and affectionate term for children.

In this song, Poncho is sad because he leaves behind his "tres monitos" (three little monkeys), which are actually his three children. This endearing use of the word adds a layer of warmth and cultural nuance, making it a memorable and interesting choice.

La Nostalgia de Poncho paints a vivid picture of a man who spends the workweek in the bustling city of Valledupar, yet whose heart forever drifts back to the breezy savannas of Manaure. Each Saturday Poncho happily jumps on the road, feeling the fresh air grow cooler as he nears his beloved hometown and the three little children waiting for him there. That joy quickly flips to sorrow every Monday morning when responsibility calls him away again. Carlos Vives captures this weekly emotional roller-coaster with upbeat vallenato rhythms that contrast Poncho’s bittersweet tears.

Beyond one father’s story, the song celebrates Colombia’s Caribbean countryside itself: the sabanas Manaureras, the friendly stops in La Tomita, and the promise of November holidays when school closes (the famous Loperena) so Poncho can finally stay longer, share roosters at dawn, and laugh with old friends. It is a lively reminder that distance may separate us from our roots, yet music keeps the memories—and the yearning—alive in every note.

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Carlos Vives La Nostalgia De Poncho Lyrics