What’s the classic song “La Bamba” all about?

Dear Straight Dope: I’ve always liked Richie Valens’ classic, “La Bamba.” The problem is, my Spanish isn’t quite up to speed, and I can’t understand what he’s singing about. Could you help me out on this? An English translation would be helpful, also. Arnold Wright Blan

SDStaff Songbird replies:

No problema, Arnold. “La Bamba,” a Mexican folk song from the state of Veracruz (on the Gulf coast), is a favorite of mariachi groups everywhere (long before Richie Valens covered it). Here are the Spanish lyrics:

Para bailar La Bamba. Para bailar La Bamba se necessita una poca de gracia. Una poca de gracia y otra cosita y arriba y arriba. Ay! Arriba y arriba. Por ti sere por ti sere por ti sere. Yo no soy marinero. Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan, soy capitan, soy capitan.

And now for the English translation:

To dance La Bamba. To dance La Bamba you need to be a little bit funny. A little bit funny and another little thing — get going, get going! (literally ‘get up and get up’) Ay! Get going, get going. I’ll be for you, I’ll be for you, I’ll be for you. I’m not a sailor. I’m not a sailor, I’m a captain, I’m a captain, I’m a captain.

What exactly does “La Bamba” mean? Consider: “Bambolear” means swinging or swaying, and a “bambollero/bambollera” is a someone who likes to boast (e.g., “I’m not a sailor, I’m a captain!”).

The song is a play on words. Spanish words.

Perhaps that’s why it’s better left in Spanish.

SDStaff Songbird, Straight Dope Science Advisory Board

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What’s the classic song “La Bamba” all about?

A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD