¡Ay Calavera Catrina! Lyrics in English TEMPUS QUARTET

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song ¡Ay Calavera Catrina! by TEMPUS QUARTET from Spanish to English.
These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!
Oh Calavera Catrina!
In your decorated hat
It's clear that I'm marked
And even my skin prickles
That is, I already give up
From your constant stalking
From your ruthless decision
From your infernal power
If you want to hurt me
Don't let me sing
If you want to hurt me
Don't let me sing
Don't let me sing
Because I drive you away, damn you
And in each written word
I further strengthen my endurance
I don't care how elegant
You dress to lure me
It may be that not having me
Always makes you angry
In your unhappy mirror
I swear, you aren't going to see me
In your unhappy mirror
I swear, you aren't going to see me
I swear, you aren't going to see me
Today at least I swear it
I won't go into that dark box today
With my helpless body
Later you're going to defeat me
When I want, calaca
You'll drive that stake into me
That one drives into the vampire
But today I don't kick the bucket
You'd better retreat, skinny
But today I don't kick the bucket
You'd better retreat, skinny
Oh Calavera Catrina!
In your decorated hat
It's clear that I'm marked
And even my skin prickles
That is, I already give up
From your constant stalking
From your ruthless decision
From your infernal power
If you want to hurt me
Don't let me sing
If you want to hurt me
Don't let me sing
If you want to hurt me
Don't let me sing
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SONG MEANING

¡Ay Calavera Catrina! is a lively face-off with Mexico’s most stylish symbol of death. TEMPUS QUARTET’s Japanese songwriter steps into a Día de Muertos dreamscape, staring down the elegant skeleton lady who lurks beneath her feathered hat. The singer feels Death’s cold power—“hasta el cuero se me enchina” (my skin crawls)—yet mocks her menace with defiant humor. Each verse turns into a musical talisman: if you really want to hurt me, don’t let me sing, because every lyric makes him stronger, pushing the grim reaper back to her “desdichado espejo” (wretched mirror).

Beneath the playful bravado lies a universal truth: we all carry Death’s mark, but our voice, art, and laughter can keep her at bay—at least for today. The narrator accepts that one day “la flaca” will win, yet he chooses the timing himself. Until then he dances, taunts, and belts out this spirited corrido-meets-classical anthem, celebrating life’s resilience in the very shadow of the grave.

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