Mariachi Lyrics Archive
El Rey
No throne, no queen, no one who understands him — and still, the king. José Alfredo Jiménez wrote Mexico's greatest anthem of quiet defiance in 1971. A stone, a road, a word that is law. Nothing more needed
About the Song
"El Rey" ("The King") is a 1971 ranchera written and recorded by José Alfredo Jiménez (1926–1973), Mexico's most celebrated canción ranchera composer. Born in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Jiménez had no formal musical training — he would hum or whistle melodies to arranger Rubén Fuentes, who transcribed them. He composed over 300 published songs. "El Rey" was recorded with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and became his signature anthem. Vicente Fernández's 1973 definitive version was inducted into the U.S. National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2025. The song is also a Latin Grammy Hall of Fame recipient. Other iconic covers include those by Alejandro Fernández, Pedro Vargas, George Strait (who recorded it in Spanish on his 2009 album Twang), and Banda El Recodo. Jiménez died at age 47 from cirrhosis; his tomb in Dolores Hidalgo is shaped like a sombrero and shawl.
Meaning of the Song
"El Rey" is the ultimate anthem of bruised-but-unbroken pride. The narrator has lost everything — his lover, his money, his companions — yet refuses to surrender his dignity. "With money and without money, I always do what I want" is not arrogance but defiance in the face of heartbreak. The arriero's wisdom ("you don't have to arrive first, but you have to know how to arrive") adds a philosophical layer: life isn't a race, it's about finding your own way. The song gives voice to anyone who has been rejected but refuses to be diminished — a penniless king whose crown is his indomitable spirit.
Watch the Song
Lyrics / Letra
Yo se bien que estoy afuera
Pero el día que yo me muera
Se que tendrás que llorar
(llorar, y llorar, llorar y llorar)
Diras que no me quisiste
Pero vas a estar muy triste
Y asi te vas a quedar
Con dinero y sin dinero
Hago siempre lo que quiero
Y mi palabra es la ley
No tengo trono ni reina
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Pero sigo siendo el rey
(…compa ese si es el rey)
Una piedra del camino
Me enseño que mi destino
Era rodar y rodar
(….rodar y rodar, rodar y rodar)
Después me dijo un arriero
Que no hay que llegar primero
Pero hay que saber llegar
Con dinero y sin dinero
Hago siempre lo que quiero
Y mi palabra es la ley
No tengo trono ni reina
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Pero sigo siendo el rey
Pero el día que yo me muera
Se que tendrás que llorar
(llorar, y llorar, llorar y llorar)
Diras que no me quisiste
Pero vas a estar muy triste
Y asi te vas a quedar
Con dinero y sin dinero
Hago siempre lo que quiero
Y mi palabra es la ley
No tengo trono ni reina
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Pero sigo siendo el rey
(…compa ese si es el rey)
Una piedra del camino
Me enseño que mi destino
Era rodar y rodar
(….rodar y rodar, rodar y rodar)
Después me dijo un arriero
Que no hay que llegar primero
Pero hay que saber llegar
Con dinero y sin dinero
Hago siempre lo que quiero
Y mi palabra es la ley
No tengo trono ni reina
Ni nadie que me comprenda
Pero sigo siendo el rey
English Translation
I know well that I am on the outside
But the day that I die
You will have to cry
(cry, and cry, cry and cry)
You will say that you never loved me
But you are going to be very sad
And that is how you will remain
With money or without money
I always do what I want
And my word is the law
I have no throne nor queen
Nor anyone who understands me
But I am still the king
(…compa, now that's the real king)
A stone on the road
Taught me that my destiny
Was to roll and roll
(…roll and roll, roll and roll)
Then a muleteer told me
That you don't have to arrive first
But you have to know how to arrive
With money or without money
I always do what I want
And my word is the law
I have no throne nor queen
Nor anyone who understands me
But I am still the king
But the day that I die
You will have to cry
(cry, and cry, cry and cry)
You will say that you never loved me
But you are going to be very sad
And that is how you will remain
With money or without money
I always do what I want
And my word is the law
I have no throne nor queen
Nor anyone who understands me
But I am still the king
(…compa, now that's the real king)
A stone on the road
Taught me that my destiny
Was to roll and roll
(…roll and roll, roll and roll)
Then a muleteer told me
That you don't have to arrive first
But you have to know how to arrive
With money or without money
I always do what I want
And my word is the law
I have no throne nor queen
Nor anyone who understands me
But I am still the king
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 Rey
Birthplace: Ciudad de México, México
Band Position: Founder, leader and lead vocalist
Favorite Food: Birria de res
Horoscope: Leo
Band Position: Founder, leader and lead vocalist
Favorite Food: Birria de res
Horoscope: Leo
Meet "El Rey," the charismatic founder, leader, and lead vocalist of Mariachi Los Muertos, from Ciudad de México, México! As a Leo, he was born to rule the stage, and with a voice as commanding as his presence, he’s the undisputed king of the mariachi world. His favorite dish? Birria de res—bold and flavorful, just like him.
"El Rey," celebrates independence and resilience, he embodies unshakeable confidence. He leads the band with the authority of a monarch and the passion of a true mariachi. On stage, he belts out lyrics like “Yo sé bien que estoy afuera…” with such conviction that even the spirits are moved. Off stage, he’s found enjoying birria and sharing tales of his adventures.
With his regal demeanor and unmatched talent, "El Rey" is the heart and soul of Mariachi Los Muertos. And don’t forget—he’ll always be "El Rey," wearing his crown with pride!
"El Rey," celebrates independence and resilience, he embodies unshakeable confidence. He leads the band with the authority of a monarch and the passion of a true mariachi. On stage, he belts out lyrics like “Yo sé bien que estoy afuera…” with such conviction that even the spirits are moved. Off stage, he’s found enjoying birria and sharing tales of his adventures.
With his regal demeanor and unmatched talent, "El Rey" is the heart and soul of Mariachi Los Muertos. And don’t forget—he’ll always be "El Rey," wearing his crown with pride!
