Raphael: El Tamborilero

Spanish songs with English translation

Song: El Tamborilero | Singer/band: Raphael

Contents: Spanish music video + lyrics in Spanish + English translation.

Spanish Christmas carols (villancicos) often focus on the Nativity scene and the journey of the shepherds (los pastorcillos). They are very rhythmic and upbeat, often featuring instruments like guitars, tambourines, and castanets. They encourage clapping, dancing, and lively group participation. They are enjoyed acroos Spain and Latin America.


Lyrics in Spanish + English translation

El Tamborilero
The Little Drummer Boy
El camino que lleva a Belén
Baja hasta el valle que la nieve cubrió
Los pastorcillos quieren ver a su rey
Le traen regalos en su humilde zurrón
Ropoponpon, ropoponpon
Ha nacido en un portal de Belén
El niño Dios
The road that leads to Bethlehem
Goes down to the valley that the snow has covered
The little shepherds want to see their King
They bring Him gifts in their humble bags
Ropoponpon, ropoponpon,
He has been born in a stable in Bethlehem,
The child God.
Yo quisiera poner a tus pies
Algún presente que te agrade, Señor
Mas tú ya sabes que soy pobre también
Y no poseo más que un viejo tambor
Ropoponpon, ropoponponpon
En tu honor, frente al portal, tocaré
Con mi tambor
I would like to lay at Your feet
Some gift that pleases You, Lord.
But You already know that I am poor too,
And I possess nothing but an old drum
Ropoponpon, ropoponponpon,
In Your honor, at the stable, I will play
With my drum.
El camino que lleva a Belén
Yo voy marcando con mi viejo tambor
Nada mejor hay que te pueda ofrecer
Su ronco acento es canto de amor
Ropoponpon, ropoponpon
Cuando Dios me vio tocando ante Él
Me sonrió, me sonrió
The path that leads to Bethlehem
I mark it with my old drum
There is nothing better I can offer You,
Its deep tone is a song of love
Ropoponpon, ropoponpon,
When God saw me playing before Him,
He smiled at me, He smiled at me.
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