EL VAQUERITO / YO SOY UN POBRE VAQUERO (Spanish) Yo soy un pobre vaquero Que no tiene ni alpargatas; Pero me las voy a hacer Con "pellejo 'e garrapatas" Yo soy un pobre vaquero Que no tiene ni alpargatas; Pero me las voy a hacer Con "pellejo 'e garrapatas", tan, tan Que cantaba la rana, tan, tan Que debajo del agua, tan, tan Que cantaba la rana, tan, tan Que debajo del agua. Vaquerito, vaquerito Pide mies al mayoral, Que el ganado se te pierde Que el ganado se te va. Cada vez que te veo venir Le digo a mi corazón Qué bonita "piedrecita" Para darme un tropezón

THE LITTLE COWBOY / I AM A POOR COWBOY I am a poor cowboy Who doesn't even have rope-soled sandals But I'm going to make me some With ticks' skin* I am a poor cowboy Who doesn't even have rope-soled sandals But I'm going to do me some With ticks' skin, tan, tan The frog was singing, tan, tan** Underneath the water, tan, tan The frog was singing, tan, tan Underneath the water. Little cowboy, little cowboy, Ask the head shepherd/farm manager for grain For your cattle is getting lost For your cattle is going away. Every time I see you come, I say to my heart "What a pretty little stone To stumble against!"

*"pellejo de garrapatas" this can be understood if you know a longer version of this song that you can listen to here sung by Óscar Chávez. The poor cowboy plans to make every item he's lacking with the hide/skin of any animal whose name rhymes with the name of said item.
** Reference to the chidren's song La rana cucú ("Cucú, cantaba la rana / Cucú, debajo del agua…")

Back to Index