Mariachi Lyrics Archive
El Carretero
He's leaving for Los Reyes — but the oxen are gone. Heading to Las Ayunas — but the mule has disappeared. El Carretero is folk music's greatest portrait of cheerful, magnificent incompetence. The wheel rolls on regardless.
About the Song
"El Carretero" is a traditional son jalisciense that depicts rural life along the old trade routes of western Jalisco, Mexico. The song references real towns — Sayula and Los Reyes — both historic settlements along colonial-era cart roads in southern Jalisco. As a son jalisciense, it belongs to the foundational genre of mariachi music, originating in the 19th century in the Cocula/Jalisco region. The song has been recorded by Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán and other regional mariachi ensembles. Note: this is a different composition from the famous Cuban guajira "El Carretero" by Guillermo Portabales, which was popularized internationally by Buena Vista Social Club. Both songs celebrate the cart driver figure but from entirely different musical traditions — Mexican son vs. Cuban guajira.
Meaning of the Song
The song paints a vivid picture of the comical frustrations of rural transport in old Mexico. The cart driver wants to travel to Sayula, but he's missing a mule; he tries for Los Reyes, but he's lost his oxen. Meanwhile, someone warns him his animals nearly drowned — "some in the sand, others in the sea." The refrain "there goes the wheel, let it roll" captures a fatalistic humor: when things fall apart, you let them roll and start again. It's a celebration of the resilient, good-humored spirit of Mexico's rural working class.
Watch the Song
Lyrics / Letra
El carretero se va
Ya se va para los reyes
El carretero no va
Porque le falta los bueyes
El carretero se va
Ya se va para los reyes
El carretero no va
Porque le falta los bueyes
Señor carretero (le vengo a avisar)
Que sus animales (se le iban a ahogar)
Unos en la arena (otros en la mar)
Señor carretero, le vengo a avisar
Señor carretero (le vengo a avisar)
Que sus animales (se le iban a ahogar)
Unos en la arena (otros en la mar)
Señor carretero, le vengo a avisar
Por ahí va la rueda, déjenla rodar
Porque la carreta no puede llegar
Por ahí va la rueda, déjenla rodar
Porque la carreta no puede llegar
El carretero se va
Ya se va para Las ayunas
El carretero no va
Porque le falta una mula
El carretero se va
Ya se va para Las ayunas
El carretero no va
Porque le falta una mula
Señor carretero (le vengo a avisar)
Que sus animales (se le iban a ahogar)
Unos en la arena (otros en la mar)
Señor carretero, le vengo a avisar
Señor carretero (le vengo a avisar)
Que sus animales (se le iban a ahogar)
Unos en la arena (otros en la mar)
Señor carretero, le vengo a avisar
Por ahí va la rueda, déjenla rodar
Porque la carreta no puede llegar
Por ahí va la rueda, déjenla rodar
Porque la carreta no puede llegar
Oiga, amigo, su carreta
No se le vaya a voltear
Avísele a los yunteros que la vengan a sacar
Oiga, amigo, su carreta
No se le vaya a voltear
Avísele a los yunteros que la vengan a sacar
El carretero se va…
Ya se va para los reyes
El carretero no va
Porque le falta los bueyes
El carretero se va
Ya se va para los reyes
El carretero no va
Porque le falta los bueyes
Señor carretero (le vengo a avisar)
Que sus animales (se le iban a ahogar)
Unos en la arena (otros en la mar)
Señor carretero, le vengo a avisar
Señor carretero (le vengo a avisar)
Que sus animales (se le iban a ahogar)
Unos en la arena (otros en la mar)
Señor carretero, le vengo a avisar
Por ahí va la rueda, déjenla rodar
Porque la carreta no puede llegar
Por ahí va la rueda, déjenla rodar
Porque la carreta no puede llegar
El carretero se va
Ya se va para Las ayunas
El carretero no va
Porque le falta una mula
El carretero se va
Ya se va para Las ayunas
El carretero no va
Porque le falta una mula
Señor carretero (le vengo a avisar)
Que sus animales (se le iban a ahogar)
Unos en la arena (otros en la mar)
Señor carretero, le vengo a avisar
Señor carretero (le vengo a avisar)
Que sus animales (se le iban a ahogar)
Unos en la arena (otros en la mar)
Señor carretero, le vengo a avisar
Por ahí va la rueda, déjenla rodar
Porque la carreta no puede llegar
Por ahí va la rueda, déjenla rodar
Porque la carreta no puede llegar
Oiga, amigo, su carreta
No se le vaya a voltear
Avísele a los yunteros que la vengan a sacar
Oiga, amigo, su carreta
No se le vaya a voltear
Avísele a los yunteros que la vengan a sacar
El carretero se va…
English Translation
The cart driver is leaving
He is already heading to Los Reyes
The cart driver is not going
Because he is missing his oxen
The cart driver is leaving
He is already heading to Los Reyes
The cart driver is not going
Because he is missing his oxen
Mister cart driver (I come to warn you)
That your animals (were about to drown)
Some in the sand (others in the sea)
Mister cart driver, I come to warn you
Mister cart driver (I come to warn you)
That your animals (were about to drown)
Some in the sand (others in the sea)
Mister cart driver, I come to warn you
There goes the wheel, let it roll
Because the cart cannot arrive
There goes the wheel, let it roll
Because the cart cannot arrive
The cart driver is leaving
He is already heading to Las Ayunas
The cart driver is not going
Because he is missing a mule
The cart driver is leaving
He is already heading to Las Ayunas
The cart driver is not going
Because he is missing a mule
Mister cart driver (I come to warn you)
That your animals (were about to drown)
Some in the sand (others in the sea)
Mister cart driver, I come to warn you
There goes the wheel, let it roll
Because the cart cannot arrive
There goes the wheel, let it roll
Because the cart cannot arrive
Hey friend, your cart
Don't let it tip over
Tell the ox drivers to come and pull it out
Hey friend, your cart
Don't let it tip over
Tell the ox drivers to come and pull it out
The cart driver is leaving…
He is already heading to Los Reyes
The cart driver is not going
Because he is missing his oxen
The cart driver is leaving
He is already heading to Los Reyes
The cart driver is not going
Because he is missing his oxen
Mister cart driver (I come to warn you)
That your animals (were about to drown)
Some in the sand (others in the sea)
Mister cart driver, I come to warn you
Mister cart driver (I come to warn you)
That your animals (were about to drown)
Some in the sand (others in the sea)
Mister cart driver, I come to warn you
There goes the wheel, let it roll
Because the cart cannot arrive
There goes the wheel, let it roll
Because the cart cannot arrive
The cart driver is leaving
He is already heading to Las Ayunas
The cart driver is not going
Because he is missing a mule
The cart driver is leaving
He is already heading to Las Ayunas
The cart driver is not going
Because he is missing a mule
Mister cart driver (I come to warn you)
That your animals (were about to drown)
Some in the sand (others in the sea)
Mister cart driver, I come to warn you
There goes the wheel, let it roll
Because the cart cannot arrive
There goes the wheel, let it roll
Because the cart cannot arrive
Hey friend, your cart
Don't let it tip over
Tell the ox drivers to come and pull it out
Hey friend, your cart
Don't let it tip over
Tell the ox drivers to come and pull it out
The cart driver is leaving…
Meet Mariachi Los Muertos™
Mariachi Los Muertos™ transforms classic mariachi songs into a collection of vivid characters. Each character in the Mariachi Los Muertos™ group has been developed to embody the spirit of traditional Mexican mariachi songs.
Inspired by the titles and themes of beloved songs, these characters bring to life the rich cultural tapestry of Mexico in a colorful and imaginative way.
Meet El Carretero
Birthplace: Chihuahua, México
Band Position: Transportation
Favorite Food: Barbacoa
Horoscope: Virgo
Band Position: Transportation
Favorite Food: Barbacoa
Horoscope: Virgo
Meet "El Carretero," the dependable transportation expert from Chihuahua, México! As a Virgo, he’s precise and practical, ensuring Mariachi Los Muertos arrives at every gig right on time. His favorite meal? Barbacoa—perfect after a long day of driving the band around.
"El Carretero" embodies the determination of a cart driver navigating tough terrain. He keeps the band rolling smoothly, whether through busy streets or rough roads, always ensuring they get there in style.
Off stage, he’s known for his attention to detail, keeping everything in top shape. He’s the unsung hero behind the scenes, making sure Mariachi Los Muertos never misses a beat. And if you hear him humming "El Carretero" while checking the tires, you’ll know he’s in his element!
"El Carretero" embodies the determination of a cart driver navigating tough terrain. He keeps the band rolling smoothly, whether through busy streets or rough roads, always ensuring they get there in style.
Off stage, he’s known for his attention to detail, keeping everything in top shape. He’s the unsung hero behind the scenes, making sure Mariachi Los Muertos never misses a beat. And if you hear him humming "El Carretero" while checking the tires, you’ll know he’s in his element!
