(from Wiki) "La Bamba" is a Mexican folk song, originally from the state of Veracruz, best known from a 1958 adaptation by Ritchie Valens, a top 40 hit in the U.S. charts and one of early rock and roll's best-known songs.
La Bamba combines Spanish, indigenous, and African musical elements. The name of the dance may perhaps be derived from the kimbundu word "mbamba" meaning "master" as in someone who does something adeptly or skillfully.
A traditional La Bamba is often played during weddings in Veracruz. The dance is performed displaying the newly wed couple's unity through the performance of complicated, delicate steps in unison as well as through creation of a bow from a listón, a long red ribbon, using only their feet.
"Get up!" or "Come on!"
Veracruz is a maritime locale, so it sounds like a pledge from a groom to stay faithful to his bride while seafaring
robert4289 on 2012-04-06
Hampsicora on 2022-08-24| 1. | Spanish Hits - Best Spanish Songs of All Time (Popkultur) |
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| 1. | La Bamba |
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Baratacus
Sat, 21/01/2017 - 15:05
La bambaria or la bamba is a reference to the intense military drills the citizense of Veracruz were subjected to in response to a singular pirate attack that never reoccured, but they were forced to constantly prepare themselves for. The translation of "bambaria" would be "to prevent a future occurrence" i suppose circumvention would be the closest word i can think of. The dance of circumvention.
In translating this song, there are some ambiguities. First of all, ”bamba” is the name of a dance, and thus not translated. Next, I have interpreted the word ”gracia” as ”grace” - as in elegant movement, as it concerns a dance. However, it may also be translated as ”good humor,” which also makes sense in this context. And then there is ”arriba,” which may be translated as ”above,” ”over” and ”arrives” among other possibilities. However, it is also an exclamation of pleasure, and therefore I have translated it to something similar in English, ”come on,” as I thought this would fit the context the best. Translating it as ”faster” could be an option as well. Finally, it should be noted that ”para” in the context means ”to” as in ”in order to.”