Rebelión Lyrics in English Juanes

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Rebelión by Juanes from Spanish to English.
In the 1600s
When the tyrant killed
The streets of Cartagena
That story lived
When here
Slave traders arrived
Africans in chains
They kissed my land
Perpetual slavery
Perpetual slavery
Perpetual slavery
An African couple
Slaves of a Spaniard
He treated them very badly
And he hit his black woman
And it was there
The handsome black man rebelled
As revenge for his love
And it's still heard at the gate
Don't hit my black woman
Don't hit the black woman
Don't hit the black woman
Listen brother, don't hit the black woman
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Don't hit her now, don't hit her now
Listen, that black woman must be respected
Listen, it's still heard, the gate is still heard
No-no-no-no-no, no-no-no-no-no
No-no-no, don't hit the black woman
That black woman must be respected
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, listen how it goes, listen how it goes
Because the black man rebels against you
No-no-no-no-no, no-no-no-no-no
No-no-no, don't hit the black woman
Lyrics and Translations Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
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SONG MEANING

Rebelión throws us straight into the bustling, sun-scorched streets of 17th-century Cartagena, where ships unloaded not treasures but people in chains. Over a contagious groove, Juanes retells the legend of an enslaved African couple who suffer under a brutal Spanish master. When the master strikes the woman, her husband answers with fearless courage, sparking an act of defiance that echoes through the centuries. The rallying cry “No le pegue a la negra” – “Don’t hit my woman” – becomes both a personal declaration of love and a universal shout for dignity.

Behind the irresistible rhythm lies a powerful history lesson: love can ignite rebellion, and music can keep that spirit alive. By celebrating the couple’s stand against oppression, the song honors the resilience of Afro-Colombian communities and reminds listeners that freedom and respect are worth fighting for. It is a dance-floor anthem with a conscience, urging us all to move our feet while keeping our hearts awake to justice.

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