"El Rey" by José Alfredo Jiménez, English translation of lyrics

[cairaguas]

"The King"
Composer: José Alfredo Jiménez
Style: Ranchera
Country: Mexico

Watch and Listen:

Renditions: José Alfredo Jiménez (original), Vicente Fernandez, Alejandro Fernandez, and now George Strait (possibly because of my translation? I don't know, but if so, I am very honored!)

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[Full translation moved to songlations.com]

Translation:

Yo sé bien que estoy afuera
Pero el día que yo me muera
Sé que tendrás que llorar.
(Llorar y llorar, x2)

I am fully aware that I am out
But the day that I die
I know that you will have to cry.
(Cry and cry, x2)

Dirás que no me quisiste,
Pero vas a estar muy triste
Y así te vas a quedar.

You will say that you did not love me,
But you will be very sad
And that is how you will stay.

Chorus:
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Con dinero y sin dinero
Hago siempre lo que quiero
Y mi palabra es la ley.

With money and without money
I always do what I want
And my word is law.

No tengo trono ni reina
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Pero sigo siendo el rey.

I have no throne or queen
Nor anyone who understands me
But I continue being king.
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Una piedra en el camino
Me enseño que mi destino
Era rodar y rodar.
(Rodar y rodar, x2)

[Continue the translation and see notes at the new site, songlations.com]