Rumba De Barcelona Lyrics in English by Manu Chao

Home / Lyrics translation / Manu Chao / Rumba De Barcelona

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Rumba De Barcelona by Manu Chao from Spanish to English.

These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!

Rumba

Chorus 1

Rambla this way, Rambla that way

That's the Barcelona rumba

Rambla this way, Rambla that way

That's the Barcelona rumba

Verse 1

Thank you, Bibi Malena

Thank you, scruffy kid

Thank you, police

Thank you, Abdu Lila

Chorus 2

Rambla this way, Rambla that way

That's the Barcelona rumba

Rambla this way, Rambla that way

That's the Barcelona rumba

Verse 2

Thank you, Mademoiselle

Miss from Avignon

(French)

Verse 2

Thank you, Bixo Bahia

Thank you, Escudellers

Chorus 3

Rambla this way, Rambla that way

That's the Barcelona rumba

Rambla this way, Rambla that way

That's the Barcelona rumba

Verse 3

Thank you, Bibi Malena

Thank you, scruffy kid

Thank you, police

Thank you, Abdu Lila

Chorus 4

Rambla this way, Rambla that way

That's the Barcelona rumba

Rambla this way, Rambla that way

That's the Barcelona rumba

Lyrics and Translations Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Did you like this lyrics translation?

Rambla — boulevard / promenade

Rambla is a distinctive Spanish word for a broad urban promenade or boulevard, often designed for walking and socializing. In the song, it refers to Barcelona’s famous La Rambla, with the repeated line “Rambla pa’quí, Rambla pa’llá” meaning “Rambla this way, Rambla that way,” capturing the city’s lively atmosphere.

Manu Chao turns a walk down Barcelona's most famous street into a party chant. The chorus barely changes: "Rambla pa'quí Rambla pa'llá" (Rambla this way, Rambla that way) bounces you up and down La Rambla, and "Esa la Rumba de Barcelona" (That's the Barcelona rumba) names the beat, the city's own rumba, played fast and loose like a street band.

The verses are a list of thank-yous, and they're funny because of who gets one. "Te mercé" (thank you) goes out to people with names like Bibi Malena and Abdu Lila, to "perro chaval" (scruffy kid), to Escudellers, a narrow old street near the Rambla, and even to the police: "Te mercé la policía" (Thank you, police). He also thanks a "Mademoiselle d'Avignon", slipping into French the way the city slips between languages. It's a love letter to a neighbourhood, written as a shout-out to everyone in it.

Did you know?

In addition to reading lyric translations, you can now learn Spanish with music and lyrics from your favorite artists.

No more boring lessons. You can now learn with engaging and culturally relevant lyrics from the best artists.

Manu Chao Rumba De Barcelona Lyrics