Lamento Boliviano Lyrics in English by Enanitos Verdes
Lamento translates to "lament" or "complaint". It's a poetic word used to express a deep and profound sorrow, which is much more evocative than just simple sadness.
In this classic rock anthem, the singer compares his feeling of desolation to a "Lamento Boliviano" (Bolivian Lament), an unending sorrow that is quiet but powerful. This central metaphor gives the song its iconic and mysterious title, inviting you to discover the story behind the feeling.
This song is a classic for a reason! It kicks off with the singer feeling like everyone is trying to provoke him, saying, "Me quieren agitar / Me incitan a gritar" (They want to shake me up / They incite me to scream). But on the outside, he claims to be untouchable: "Soy como una roca / Palabras no me tocan" (I'm like a rock / Words don't touch me). The catch is that inside, he's a different story. He warns that "Adentro hay un volcán / Que pronto va a estallar" (Inside there's a volcano / That's soon going to erupt). It's this amazing contrast between a calm surface and the chaos underneath that makes the song so compelling.
He compares this unending feeling of sadness to a "Lamento boliviano / Que un día empezó / Y no va a terminar" (A Bolivian lament / That one day started / And isn't going to end). But even while describing himself as "borracho y loco" (drunk and crazy), he makes a beautiful, defiant promise. He says his "corazón idiota / Siempre brillará" (idiot heart / will always shine), and that he will love someone forever. Then he throws in this wonderfully strange line: "Nena, no te peines en la cama / Que los viajantes se van a atrasar" (Baby, don't comb your hair in bed / Because the travelers will be delayed). It's a bit of folklore or a private joke that makes this epic-sounding song feel incredibly personal.
