Back on the tracks, with the raps and the verses
Back in the past, Preterite and Imperfect
Working the beat 'til you're certain the urge is
Gonna give up, so let's get to workin'
Que pasa con el preterito?
It's the past that you use when the end is known
Don't get out of your chair, it's easy, stay seated
No need to worry, Preterite's completed!

If you're action was done many times is the past
Repetitively, or habitually
You think you'll be using the Imperfect in this case?
Certainly
Now don't you sweat it
Cause you will get it
Have we ever steered you wrong, FabuLoso, Papa John?
NO. Now time for a chorus

CHORUS:
Preterite! Imperfect!
Remember where you heard it
It's what you're doing in the past!
Preterite! Imperfect!
Everybody's got to learn it
You know we saved the best for last!
So you know there's Imperfect and Preterite
Which is which? Kinda rough, you're forgetting it
But as I spit, you're fears are gonna be assuaged
You'll be amazed there's ways to remember this!
If you know when an action ends, you'll be
In the Preterite, that's the tendancy!
So, "si tienes un hora," the tense is clear
There's no need to "llora," Preterite is here!

The way you make Imperfect verbs to master conjugation
Luckily for you, it doesn't take much concentration
For AR verbs, the ending is an ABA
For ER/IR verbs you're gonna end it with an IA
"Por ejemplo, estudiantes, si yo trabajaba,"
Used to work at Starbucks, serving lots of java
If, for instance I ate a grape every day
"Comia una uva.... EVERDAY."

CHORUS x 2

And unlike the other past
Preterite's a one-time deal, it doesn't last
So those specific durations, so no need for contemplation
Cause when you're using the Preterite, you gonna have a set
Time for the things that you're trying to say
Last year, last month, yesterday
If you see "cada" or "siempre," stay away
Cause that's not using Preterite the right way!
Gotta key in on those various key words
You're Imperfect knowledge grows in this very verse
Look for and use sentence starters and such
Now, listen up close and get in touch!
"Muchas veces en el pasado
Cada, todo de los días, meses, años."
Just throw a good verb after something like those
And your ABAs and your IAs will perfect your prose!

Unas palabras utiles son las que quieres saber
Try "la semana pasada," or even "anteayer,"
They're all specifc times, and if you've listened
I've taught you everything you need to know with my rhymes
Before I leave, there's some crazy verbs
That don't follow the pattern, irregulars
There are more than what I've got listed here
But these are the common ones that you'll see and hear!

There's one final thing that you need to know
And you'll be on your way to an Imperfect knowledge pro!
You're gonna use Imperfect when you set a scene
"Habia una vez," in a book or on the screen
Imperfect knowledge growing: It last for a while
With an ABA and an IA, it'll make you smile
FabuLoso, Papa John, once again
The trilogy concluded, adios, THE END
CHORUS (With Na Na's)
CHORUS x 2