El Borrego
Summary
"El Borrego" tells the story of a man who rises from poverty through drug trafficking, only to face the consequences of his illegal lifestyle. His journey is a mix of ambition, respect, and ultimately tragedy, highlighting the dangers of that world.
Full Analysis
The song captures the rise and fall of a character known as "El Borrego." He starts with nothing but eventually finds success in the drug trade. His life reflects the harsh realities of that world, where respect can quickly turn into danger. The lyrics explore themes of ambition, the respect earned in the drug world, and the inevitable consequences that come with such a life. It’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a catchy melody.
Verse 1
Era muy pobre alla en tierra blanca
Y hacia mandados para comer
Hasta que un dia le fiaron droga
Y poco a poco empezo a vender
In this first verse, we see El Borrego’s tough beginnings. He’s poor and struggling, doing errands just to eat. Then, he gets involved with drugs, which marks the start of his transformation. This sets the stage for the rest of the song, showing how desperation can lead people down a dangerous path.
Chorus
Tenia valor enteligencia
Y se hico rico en un 1, 2 por 3
The chorus highlights how quickly El Borrego amasses wealth through his cunning and bravery. It’s catchy and emphasizes the allure of quick riches. But it also hints at the fleeting nature of such success, suggesting that it may not last long.
Verse 2
Los grandes jefes lo respetaban
Porque era gente fina y derecha
Si eran por kilos o toneladas
Se los pagaba justo a la fecha
Here, we see El Borrego gaining respect in the drug world. He’s portrayed as a man of his word, paying up on time. This respect from powerful figures speaks to his reputation and skill. It shows that in this dangerous world, earning respect is crucial for survival, but it also sets the stage for potential betrayal.
Chorus
Todo marchaba de maravilla
Pero en tijuana lo detuvieron
Lo encarselaron por unos meses
Y salio suelto como le hicieron
The chorus shifts to a turning point in El Borrego’s life. Everything seems perfect until he gets arrested in Tijuana. This moment reminds us that even the most successful can fall. It’s a stark reminder of the risks involved in his lifestyle, and the catchy melody contrasts sharply with the gravity of his situation.
Verse 3
Se fue a la union americana
Pero tambien fue detenido
Con un millon de billetes verdes
In this verse, El Borrego tries to escape his troubles by moving to America, but he’s caught again. The mention of a million dollars shows how deep he’s in the game. It highlights the idea that money can’t always buy freedom or safety, which is a harsh truth for many in similar situations.
Chorus
En que trabajas le dijo el gringo
Soy traficante de sinaloa
Soy el borrego o el pelo chino
This chorus is a moment of pride for El Borrego. He openly admits to being a trafficker. It’s bold and shows he owns his identity, but it also underscores the danger of being so open about his profession. His confidence is striking, yet it foreshadows his downfall.
Verse 4
Lo sentensiaron a muchos años
Pero muy poco les awanto
Aunque la carsel es pa los hombres
Afuera vives mucho mejor
In this verse, we see the consequences of his actions. He gets a long sentence but doesn’t seem to care much about it. He believes life outside is better than prison, which speaks to his mindset. It’s a classic case of someone who thinks they can outsmart the system, showing his defiance even in the face of punishment.
Chorus
Los de la DEA a un no comprenden
Como es posible que se fugo
This chorus reflects the confusion of law enforcement about how he escapes. It adds tension and drama to the narrative. It shows that El Borrego is playing a dangerous game and that the authorities are struggling to keep up with him, reinforcing his reputation.
Verse 5
Se traslado a culiacan
Porque la DEA lo projuraba
Se hico gallero profesional
Y en los palenques mucho apostaba
Now, he moves to Culiacán and becomes a professional rooster fighter. This shows he’s adapting to his circumstances and finding new ways to thrive. Betting on rooster fights adds another layer to his life, emphasizing that he’s always looking for opportunities, but also highlights the risks involved.
Chorus
Un dia en su casa lo acribillaron
Policias altos de mata y paga
This chorus takes a dark turn as it describes his assassination. The imagery is powerful, and it shows that no matter how successful he was, he couldn’t escape the violence of his world. It’s a tragic end that underscores the dangers of his lifestyle.
Outro
Adios amigo chapo guzman
Ay voy compadre emilio quintero
Me asesinaron no se porque
Y ni tanpoco se quienes fueron
In the outro, El Borrego bids farewell to friends like Chapo Guzmán, emphasizing his connections in the drug world. His death is filled with confusion, showing he didn’t see it coming. This ending leaves a haunting feeling, reminding listeners of the unpredictability and violence that come with such a life.
Closing Thoughts
"El Borrego" is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a story of ambition, respect, and tragedy in the drug trade. It paints a vivid picture of the highs and lows of a life filled with risk. The song serves as a reminder that while the allure of quick success can be tempting, the consequences can be deadly. It’s a powerful narrative that resonates with many, showing the complexity of choices in a challenging world.
Full Lyrics
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Y hacia mandados para comer
Hasta que un dia le fiaron droga
Y poco a poco empezo a vender
Tenia valor enteligencia
Y se hico rico en un 1, 2 por 3
Los grandes jefes lo respetaban
Porque era gente fina y derecha
Si eran por kilos o toneladas
Se los pagaba justo a la fecha
El que obra mal se le pudre el alma
Siemrpe decia con gran firmesa
Todo marchaba de maravilla
Pero en tijuana lo detuvieron
Lo encarselaron por unos meses
Y salio suelto como le hicieron
Los licensiados areglan todo
Se hacen milagrons con el dinero
Se fue a la union americana
Pero tambien fue detenido
Con un millon de billetes verdes
En que trabajas le dijo el gringo
Soy traficante de sinaloa
Soy el borrego o el pelo chino
Lo sentensiaron a muchos años
Pero muy poco les awanto
Aunque la carsel es pa los hombres
Afuera vives mucho mejor
Los de la DEA a un no comprenden
Como es posible que se fugo
Se traslado a culiacan
Porque la DEA lo projuraba
Se hico gallero profesional
Y en los palenques mucho apostaba
Un dia en su casa lo acribillaron
Policias altos de mata y paga
Adios amigo chapo guzman
Ay voy compadre emilio quintero
Me asesinaron no se porque
Y ni tanpoco se quienes fueron
El que obra mal se le pudre el alma
Fue lo que dijo el compa borrego