El Jarabe Tapatio

EL JARABE TAPATIO

The jarabe is a traditional Mexican dance and musical form. It is characterized by several sections with distinct strains that often contrast in meter and tempo. “Jarabe Tapatio,” well known from mariachi performances, is a typical example. It comes from the Mexican states of Jalisco and Michoacan, where it was very popular.

The words adapted here are from “Sequidella, II” a song from southern Spain with a satirical theme. The text is somewhat nonsensical and quite playful in nature.

Si quieres vamanos a Zapotián a ver aquella que hace tan sabroso pan.		Let's go to Zapotian, if you want, to see the woman who makes delicious bread.
Vamos a tomar atole todos los que van pasando		Let's go eat soup along with everyone who passes by.
que si el atole está acedo ta atolera se está; agriando, el atole se acaboó		If the soup is sour, the cook is bitter. The soup is gone.
No se pudieron ya casar.		And we won' be able to marry.
Diana Diana a tu tia Mariana		Diana, Diana to your Aunt Mariana
Diana Diana a tu tio Simón.		Diana, Diana to your Uncle Simon

Click here to see a sample.