Manuel Santillán, El León (Tumbao Salsa)

The lion is hiding in the alley
He knows well what’s coming for him
Then he pulls out his gun and is ready to shoot
The cops surround him without mercy
They’re looking for him for settling scores
And that sergeant, without hesitation
Opens fire and hits him

What’s curious is that before he dies
The lion Santillán spoke some words
To the officers who looked on in shock
And he said

Dear enemies of old
I’m leaving this world of pain
Never forget
That all the people are heading to the sea

They’re going to the sea, going to the sea
Crying, pain, suffering
A people drowns and sinks in the sea

They’re going to the sea, going to the sea
Crying, pain, suffering
A people drowns and sinks in the sea

The lion said it, Manuel Santillán
The lion said it, old fighter from San Telmo
The lion said it, Manuel Santillán the lion
The lion said it

The officers who saw Santillán die
Left the force behind
Never heard from them again
The case was never spoken of again

However, in old San Telmo
In a dirty dive bar
They say a drunk
Murmured crying the words that were from the lion

(And what were they, Manuel?)

They’re going to the sea, going to the sea
Crying, pain, suffering
A people drowns in the sea

They’re going to the sea, going to the sea
The people cry so sadly
For the death of the great Santillán

They’re going to the sea, going to the sea
Night falls in San Telmo
And the lion Santillán dies

They’re going to the sea, going to the sea
There goes Manuel