"Gracias" by Jose Alfredo Jimenez, English translation of lyrics
"Thank You", 1972
Style: Mariachi
Country: Mexico
[Full translation at songlations.com]
About:
José Alfredo Jiménez died 41 years ago on November 23, 1973.
My father is a huge fan of José Alfredo Jiménez. Once, when I was visiting home and helping him install a new music program, he started filling his playlist and found this song. He told me more about the legendary José Alfredo Jiménez, beloved and prolific singer-songwriter of Mexico. Jiménez died in 1973 of cirrhosis of the liver due to his drinking. He didn't die sad or regretful, though. He died full of gratitude for his fans. He composed this last song, "Gracias" (Thank You) to express his love for everyone, and to let people know that he thought his life was wonderful, and that he had made peace with his upcoming death.
He picked his own epigram, arranged his own funeral, and settled his affairs. Here is an interview with José Alfredo Jiménez at the hospital. Fourteen days before his death, he left the hospital and drove to have dinner with his son, then they played dominos all night.
To this day, he is still internationally famous for his character- and story-driven lyrics. When people think of mariachi, ranchera, and corrido songs, they think of José Alfredo Jiménez. Hear his last song at YouTube here.
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Translation:
¿Cómo puedo pagar
Que me quieran a mí
Por todas mis canciones?
How can I repay
That you all love me
For all my songs?
Ya me puse a pensar
Y no alcanzo a cubrir
Tan lindas intenciones.
I already sat down to think
And I can't quite cover
So many beautiful intentions.
He ganado dinero
Para comprar un mundo
Más bonito que el nuestro.
I have earned money
To buy a world
More beautiful than ours.
Pero todo lo aviento
Porque quiero morirme
Como muere mi pueblo.
But I toss it all
Because I want to die
How my people die. [*pueblo (m. noun) = village]
Yo no quiero saber
Que se siente tener
Millones y millones.
I do not want to know
What it feels like to have
Millions and millions.
Si tuviera con que,
Compraría para mi
Otros dos corazones.
If I had the means,
I would buy for myself
Another two hearts.
Para hacerlos vibrar
Y llenar otra vez
Sus almas de ilusiones.
[Continue the translation and read translation notes at songlations.com]
Style: Mariachi
Country: Mexico
[Full translation at songlations.com]
About:
José Alfredo Jiménez died 41 years ago on November 23, 1973.
My father is a huge fan of José Alfredo Jiménez. Once, when I was visiting home and helping him install a new music program, he started filling his playlist and found this song. He told me more about the legendary José Alfredo Jiménez, beloved and prolific singer-songwriter of Mexico. Jiménez died in 1973 of cirrhosis of the liver due to his drinking. He didn't die sad or regretful, though. He died full of gratitude for his fans. He composed this last song, "Gracias" (Thank You) to express his love for everyone, and to let people know that he thought his life was wonderful, and that he had made peace with his upcoming death.
He picked his own epigram, arranged his own funeral, and settled his affairs. Here is an interview with José Alfredo Jiménez at the hospital. Fourteen days before his death, he left the hospital and drove to have dinner with his son, then they played dominos all night.
To this day, he is still internationally famous for his character- and story-driven lyrics. When people think of mariachi, ranchera, and corrido songs, they think of José Alfredo Jiménez. Hear his last song at YouTube here.
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Translation:
¿Cómo puedo pagar
Que me quieran a mí
Por todas mis canciones?
How can I repay
That you all love me
For all my songs?
Ya me puse a pensar
Y no alcanzo a cubrir
Tan lindas intenciones.
I already sat down to think
And I can't quite cover
So many beautiful intentions.
He ganado dinero
Para comprar un mundo
Más bonito que el nuestro.
I have earned money
To buy a world
More beautiful than ours.
Pero todo lo aviento
Porque quiero morirme
Como muere mi pueblo.
But I toss it all
Because I want to die
How my people die. [*pueblo (m. noun) = village]
Yo no quiero saber
Que se siente tener
Millones y millones.
I do not want to know
What it feels like to have
Millions and millions.
Si tuviera con que,
Compraría para mi
Otros dos corazones.
If I had the means,
I would buy for myself
Another two hearts.
Para hacerlos vibrar
Y llenar otra vez
Sus almas de ilusiones.
[Continue the translation and read translation notes at songlations.com]