La Tijera Lyrics in English Carlos Vives
Tijera literally means "scissors." While it's a common object, its use in this song is quite unique and metaphorical, making it an interesting choice.
In "La Tijera," Carlos Vives uses it to represent a consequence or a cutting off of freedom. The lyrics warn, "Te va cortar la tijera" (The scissors will cut you), implying that if someone is too much of a "parrandera" (party-goer), they might face restrictions or have their fun cut short. It's a playful yet cautionary metaphor that adds a distinct flavor to the song.
“La Tijera” is Carlos Vives at his most playful and folkloric. Picture a lively night in Villanueva, a town famous for vallenato parties, where our singer dreams of dancing with a fiery morena. He begs her not to get “rabiosa” (too mad) and to keep their outing a secret from her strict grandmother. Why? Because if Grandma finds out that her granddaughter is a parrandera (hard-core party lover), the feared tijera – a metaphorical pair of scissors that “cuts” bad behavior – will come out to punish or gossip about her.
Behind the catchy accordion riffs and joyful shouts, Vives paints a humorous tug-of-war between youthful desire and traditional expectations. The narrator is smitten, his sadness gone, yet he knows their fun has limits set by family and society. In short, the song celebrates vallenato partying, flirty romance, and the comic threat of grandma’s scissors that keeps everyone on their toes.
