Son de Difuntos [English translation]

Here comes Death!

Hey!

She was sitting, Death,

smoking some of her tobacco.

With the saints she was discussing

who was taking their last drink.

With the saints she was discussing

who was taking their last drink.

Flower of the dead1 and incense,

as when you take path.

I will take away your blessed daughter

if you don't put wine on my altar.

I will take your blessed daughter

if you don't put wine on my altar.

This dead man, yes, that one no2,

this dead man here has already chosen

that the representative3 and the scandal-monger

shall be buried for corruption.

This woman dead, that one no,

this dead woman here has already decided

the teacher and that whore4

shall be buried for negligence.

HooYah!

Here comes Death!

Keep your vigil, watch, watchwoman5

This mistery your cloak

Give me a vigil, watchwoman 6

So that my departed comes to happiness.

Keep your vigil, watch, watchwoman

This mistery is your cloak

Give me a vigil watchwoman

So that my departed comes to happiness.

Eh!

Here comes Death!

Hoopla!

Death took away his TV

to watch the soap opera.

The chief7 and his pals

felt in favour of the fatherland.

Tamales and chocolate

because she asks for sweet and salty

by this path of flowers

where the offereing awaits you,

by this path of flowers

where the offereing awaits you.

This one dead, yes, that death no,

this dead person here has already chosen

that the representative and the scandal-monger

shall be buried for corruption.

This woman dead, that death no,

this dead woman here has already decided

the teacher and that whore

shall be buried for negligence.

Ahah! Hey!

Here comes Death!

Here comes death!

1. a sort of Mexican marigold that was used in some Indian religions to decorate tombs2. I imagine that this line refers to the discussion mentioned in the first stanza3. would "executor" be a better choice of word here?4. or maybe "that spider"5. or it could mean "candle, candle, candelabra", but that seems unlikely6. or "give me candle, candelabra" but I doubt it7. Nahuatl word often translated as "general", "ruler", "speaker",or "orator"

• Artist:Lila Downs
• Album:Balas y Chocolate