La Vida Es Un Carnival Lyrics in English by Celia cruz

Home / Lyrics translation / Celia cruz / La Vida Es Un Carnival

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song La Vida Es Un Carnival by Celia cruz from Spanish to English.

These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!

Anyone who thinks that life is unfair

Has to know that it's not like that

That life is beautiful, you have to live it

Anyone who thinks that they're alone and that they're hurting

Has to know that it's not like that

That in life nobody's alone, there's always someone

Ay, there's no need to cry (There's no need to cry)

That life is a carnival

And it's more beautiful to live singing

Oh-oh-oh, ay, there's no need to cry (There's no need to cry)

That life is a carnival

And sorrows go away by singing

Oh-oh-oh, ay, there's no need to cry (There's no need to cry)

That life is a carnival

And it's more beautiful to live singing

Oh-oh-oh, ay, there's no need to cry (There's no need to cry)

That life is a carnival

And sorrows go away by singing

Anyone who thinks that life is always cruel

Has to know that it's not like that

That there are only bad moments and everything passes

Anyone who thinks that this will never change

Has to know that it's not like that

When times are tough, put on a brave face, and everything changes

Ay, there's no need to cry (There's no need to cry)

That life is a carnival

And it's more beautiful to live singing

Oh-oh-oh, ay, there's no need to cry (There's no need to cry)

That life is a carnival

And sorrows go away by singing

Oh-oh-oh, ay, there's no need to cry (There's no need to cry)

That life is a carnival

And it's more beautiful to live singing

Oh-oh-oh, ay, there's no need to cry (There's no need to cry)

That life is a carnival

And sorrows go away by singing

It's for laughing

(There's no need to cry) To enjoy

To enjoy

(We have to live singing)

Life is a carnival

We can all sing

Ay, folks

(We have to live singing)

Anyone who thinks

That life is cruel

Will never be alone

(We have to live singing)

God is with him

For those who complain so much (Wua)

For those who only criticize (Wua)

For those who use weapons (Wua)

For those who pollute us (Wua)

For those who make war (Wua)

For those who keep sinning (Wua)

For those who mistreat us (Wua)

For those who infect us (Wua)

Did you like this lyrics translation?

carnaval — carnival

Carnaval literally means "carnival," a festival full of music, costumes, and celebration. While it's an easy word to recognize, its meaning in this iconic song is much deeper and more philosophical.

Celia Cruz uses it as a powerful metaphor for life itself. She sings "Que la vida es un carnaval" (That life is a carnival) to teach us that life, with all its ups and downs, is a beautiful, vibrant celebration that should be lived with joy and music. It’s a memorable and uplifting message wrapped in a single, festive word.

Cuban powerhouse Celia Cruz kicks off this track with pure defiance against bad days. Right away, she takes aim at anyone convinced that the world is inherently unfair or lonely: "Todo aquel que piense que está solo y que está mal / Tiene que saber que no es así" ("Anyone who thinks they are alone and bad off / Needs to know it's not like that"). Instead of letting misery take over, her fix is straightforward: sing right through it. The central hook repeats "no hay que llorar / Que la vida es un carnaval / Y las penas se van cantando" ("there is no need to cry / Because life is a carnival / And troubles go away by singing"). She relies on a classic Spanish idiom, "al mal tiempo, buena cara" (literally "to bad weather, a good face", or putting on a brave face in hard times), reminding you that hard moments are temporary and things shift.

Then things get blunt near the end. Cruz calls out the real troublemakers who ruin the party: "Para aquellos que usan las armas... Para aquellos que hacen la guerra" ("For those who use weapons... For those who make war"), along with complainers, critics, polluters, and abusers. Even when she addresses people who think "la vida es cruel" ("life is cruel"), she insists they are never abandoned. The whole song runs on this stubborn, energetic refusal to surrender to gloom, arguing that treating life like a carnival street party is the best weapon against despair.

Did you know?

In addition to reading lyric translations, you can now learn Spanish with music and lyrics from your favorite artists.

Yes, including La Vida Es Un Carnival by Celia cruz!

No more boring lessons. You can now learn with engaging and culturally relevant lyrics from the best artists.

Celia cruz La Vida Es Un Carnival Lyrics