Arroz Con Habichuelas Lyrics in English El Gran Combo
Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Arroz Con Habichuelas by El Gran Combo from Spanish to English.
These English lyric translations are not yet verified.
Esto no es balada, esto no es rock
This isn't a ballad, this isn't rock
Esto es Salsa, Son y Rumba
This is Salsa, Son, and Rumba
Esto no es ensaladita Light
This isn't a light salad
Arroz con habichuela y vianda es lo que hay
Rice and beans and root vegetables is what there is
Esto no es lo que tu piensas
This isn't what you think
No te vayas a tirar
Don't go jumping in
Si no aprendiste a conciencia
If you didn't learn thoroughly
La clave te va a tumbar
The clave will knock you down
Esto tiene su truquito
This has its little trick
Esto no es llegué y pegué
This isn't just showing up and succeeding
Esto lleva sus añitos
This takes its years
Pa tocarse como es
To be played right
Esto no es la A y la B
This isn't the A and the B
Esto llega hasta la Z
This goes up to the Z
Esto no es mamá, papá y nené
This isn't mom, dad, and baby
Esta es la lección completa
This is the complete lesson
Esto no viene en los libros
This isn't found in books
No se enseña en la academia
It's not taught in the academy
Esto es poquito a poquito
This is little by little
Luego el esfuerzo se premia
Then the effort is rewarded
Cuatro décadas Gran Combo en la cocina
Four decades Gran Combo in the kitchen
Cocinando Salsa para la gente latina
Cooking Salsa for the Latin people
No, no es ensaladita Light de dieta
No, it's not a light diet salad
Pregúntale a Juan José que trajo la receta
Ask Juan José who brought the recipe
Es la cadencia del Son de Cuba elegante
It's the elegant cadence of Cuban Son
Y el Swing de Nueva York siempre pa adelante
And the Swing from New York always moving forward
Sabor, sabor, sabor de la vieja escuela
Flavor, flavor, old school flavor
Salsa caribeña, rumba, plena
Caribbean Salsa, rumba, plena
No se aprende ni en la academia más fina
It's not learned even in the finest academy
En la calle, calle, calle, rumbón de esquina
In the street, street, street, corner rumbón
Traigo melao, que rico que sabroso el tumbao
I bring the groove, how rich, how tasty the tumbao
Lo que hay, esto es lo que hay
What there is, this is what there is
Did you like this lyrics translation?
melao — molasses / charm / swagger
Melao literally means "molasses," a thick, sweet syrup. However, in Caribbean Spanish, it's often used metaphorically to describe a captivating charm, a smooth rhythm, or a certain swagger.
In "Arroz Con Habichuelas," El Gran Combo sings "Traigo melao, que rico que sabroso el tumbao." Here, "melao" refers to the irresistible flavor, the smooth, enticing rhythm, and the overall captivating essence of their salsa music. It's a word that embodies the rich, sweet, and vibrant spirit of the song and its cultural roots.
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