El Retrato De Mamá
Fernando Villalona Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Bien hermano vine a verte
no es para pedirte nada
si aunque pobre estoy viviendo
te agradezco la intención.

Ese gran carro en la puerta
esta mansionada casa
dice lo que profesaste

es alta tu posición.

Esta salita en que estamos
decorada a lo moderno
con sus cuadros que le adornan
cuesta todo un dineral.

No saques la cartera
no es por plata que yo vengo,
pero dime tu el retrato
de la vieja donde está.

Pobre vieja...
ella que tanto te quizo
que llegó hasta el sacrificio
para mandarte a estudiar.

Ni siquiera...
te sobró delicadeza
para poner en la casa
el retrato de mamá.

Desde el cielo,
ella te ve y te perdona;
pero yo que soy tu hermano
no te voy a perdonar.

Y dime
por qué entre tantas alhajas

falta la joya más cara,
el retrato de mamá...

Overall Meaning

In Fernando Villalona's song "El Retrato de Mamá," the singer visits his wealthy brother to confront him about a missing item: their mother's portrait. Despite the opulence of his brother's home, the singer reminds him that money can't replace the sentimental value of their mother's portrait. The brother is defensive, insisting that the singer is only there to ask for money, but the singer insists that he simply wants to know where their mother's portrait is. The singer is angered by his brother's lack of sensitivity and respect towards their mother, who sacrificed so much to give them opportunities for education and success.

The song's lyrics are a poignant commentary on the tension between materialism and family values. The brother's wealth and extravagant possessions are contrasted with the simple act of displaying their mother's portrait, which serves as a symbol of the irreplaceable love and sacrifice of a parent. The singer expresses his frustration and hurt at his brother's inability to value the sentimental over the monetary.

Overall, "El Retrato de Mamá" is a powerful and emotional song that highlights the importance of family and the enduring love of a mother. It challenges listeners to reflect on their own priorities and values, and to remember the true worth of the people and things that matter most in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Bien hermano vine a verte
I came to see you, my brother

no es para pedirte nada
I'm not here to ask you for anything

si aunque pobre estoy viviendo
Even though I'm living in poverty

te agradezco la intención.
I appreciate your intentions

Ese gran carro en la puerta
That big car parked outside

esta mansionada casa
This mansion-like house

dice lo que profesaste
Says what you claimed

es alta tu posición.
That you have a high status

Esta salita en que estamos
This living room we're in

decorada a lo moderno
Decorated in a modern style

con sus cuadros que le adornan
With its adorned paintings

cuesta todo un dineral.
Costs a fortune

No saques la cartera
Don't take out your wallet

no es por plata que yo vengo,
I'm not here for money

pero dime tu el retrato
But where is the portrait

de la vieja donde está.
Of our beloved mother

Pobre vieja...
Poor mother...

ella que tanto te quizo
She who loved you so much

que llegó hasta el sacrificio
Who even made sacrifices

para mandarte a estudiar.
To send you to school

Ni siquiera...
Not even...

te sobró delicadeza
You didn't have the delicacy

para poner en la casa
To put in the house

el retrato de mamá.
The portrait of our mother

Desde el cielo,
From heaven,

ella te ve y te perdona;
She sees you and forgives you;

pero yo que soy tu hermano
But I, your brother,

no te voy a perdonar.
Won't forgive you

Y dime
And tell me

por qué entre tantas alhajas
Why, among all these riches

falta la joya más cara,
Is missing the most valuable jewel,

el retrato de mamá...
The portrait of our mother...

Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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