| Babalu (original) | Babalu (translation) |
|---|---|
| 1st VERSE | 1st VERSE |
| Babalu | Babalu |
| Babalu | Babalu |
| Babalu aye | babalu aye |
| Babalu aye | babalu aye |
| Babalu | Babalu |
| Ta empezando lo velorio | It's starting the wake |
| Que le hacemo a Babalu | What do we do to Babalu |
| Dame diez y siete velas | Give me seventeen candles |
| Pa ponerle en cruz. | To put him on the cross. |
| Dame un cabo de tabaco mayenye | Give me a piece of tobacco mayenye |
| Y un jarrito de aguardiente, | And a little jar of brandy, |
| Dame un poco de dinero mayenye | Give me some money mayenye |
| Pa’que me de la suerte. | So that he gives me luck. |
| Yo | I |
| Quiere pedi | want to ask |
| Que mi negra me quiera | that my black loves me |
| Que tenga dinero | have money |
| Y que no se muera | And that she does not die |
| Av! | Av! |
| Vo le quiero pedi a Babalu 'na negra muy santa como tu que no tenga otro | I want to ask Babalu 'na very holy black woman like you not to have another |
| negro | black |
| Pa’que no se fuera. | So that he does not leave. |
| 2nd VERSE (CONCLUSION) | 2nd VERSE (CONCLUSION) |
| Babalu a ye! | Babalu aye! |
