song

 La Bamba

A traditional folk song of Veracruz, Mexico, La Bamba is at least 300 years old. It was popularized by Ritchie Valens in the 1950s, and remains a popular song performed by Los Lobos and other current groups. There is no dance called "La Bamba." In fact, the original song apparently refers to a devastating pirate attack in Veracruz in the 1600s.

Click to hear sound files or videos:

Ritchie Valens: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp6j5HJ-Cok>
<http://www.johntoddjr.com/143%20Bamba/images/la%20bamba%20valens.wav>
Los Lobos:<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_SS-TyXhhU>

 Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti,
Ay arriba, ay arriba
Ay, arriba arriba
Por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré

Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero
Soy capitan, soy capitan, soy capitan

Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bam

Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti,
ay arriba, ay arriba

(instrumental)

Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti,
Ay arriba, ay arriba
Ay, arriba arriba
Por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré

Bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba

(se desvanece)

Bamba, bamba

In order to dance The Bamba
In order to dance the Bamba
You need a little bit of grace
A little bit of grace
For me, for you,
Ah higher, higher
Ah higher, higher
By you I will be, by you I will for, by you I will be

I am not a sailor,
I am not a sailor
I am captain, I am captain, I am captain

Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bam

In order to dance The Bamba
In order to dance the Bamba
You need a little bit of grace
A little bit of grace
For me, for you,
ah higher, higher

(instrumental)

In order to dance The Bamba
In order to dance the Bamba
You need a little bit of grace
A little bit of grace
For me, for you,
Ah higher, higher
Ah higher, higher
By you I will be, by you I will for, by you I will be

Bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba

(fades)

Bamba, bamba