Cali Pachanguero Lyrics in English by Grupo Niche
Pachanguero comes from the word pachanga, which refers to a lively party or a type of Cuban music and dance. So, pachanguero describes someone or something that is festive, a party-goer, or associated with a lively celebration.
In
Get ready to feel the rhythm of Cali! Grupo Niche's "Cali Pachanguero" is a passionate declaration of love for the Colombian city of Cali. The singer describes Cali as a "luz de un nuevo cielo" [light of a new sky] and the "lucero que es leno" [brightest star]. It's a place where he sees the woman he loves, where the streets rise up, and where a carnival spirit fills the air in Juanchito.
This song is all about missing Cali when you're away. The singer admits that "cuando dure mi ausencia sabes bien que me muero" [when my absence lasts, you know well that I die]. He's so devoted that he proclaims, "Todos los caminos conducen a ti" [All roads lead to you]. He even gets a little jealous, saying "Celoso estoy pa' que mires, No me voy más ni por miles" [I'm jealous so you can see, I won't leave again, not even for thousands]. He apologizes for any past absence, calling Cali his "bella cenicienta" [beautiful Cinderella]. He paints vivid pictures of beautiful nights in Siloé, the view of the valley, and the excitement of soccer matches at the Pascual stadium. For him, Cali isn't just a city; it's the "sucursal del cielo" [branch of heaven], and as the song bluntly puts it, "Cali es Cali señoras, señores, Lo demás es loma" [Cali is Cali, ladies and gentlemen, everything else is just hills].
