In 1950, Cruz made her first major breakthrough, after the lead singer of the La Sonora Matancera, a renowned Cuban orchestra, left the group and Cruz was called to fill in. Cruz was hired permanently by the orchestra, but she wasn't well accepted by the public at first. However, the orchestra stood by their decision, and soon Cruz became famous throughout Cuba. During the 15 years she was a member, the band traveled all over Latin America.
Angelitos Negros
Celia Cruz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
extranjero Pintor que sigues el rumbo De tantos
pintores viejos. Aunque la virgen sea blanca
Píntame angelitos negros
Que también se van al cielo Todos los negritos
buenos. Pintor que pintas con amor Por
qué Desprecias su color Si sabes que en el
cielo también los quiere Dios? Pintor de
Por qué Al pintar en tus cuadros te
olvidaste De los negros? Siempre pintas iglesias
pintas angelitos bellos pero nunca te acordaste
de pintar un ángel negro.
The lyrics of "Angelitos Negros" by Celia Cruz are demanding that a painter, who was born in the land of the singer, but follows the path of so many old painters with a foreign brush, to paint black angels. The painter is accused of despising black people and their color, despite being aware that God loves them too and they also go to heaven. The lyrics are questioning the painter's motives and the choices he makes while painting saints and angels. The singer is wondering why the painter, who has the soul in his body, forgets to paint black angels.
The song is a protest against racism and discrimination towards black people. The lyrics are urging the painter to recognize the beauty and worth of black people and to represent them in his art. The song is also a call to action for everyone to recognize that black people are not different from white people; they are equally worthy of love, respect, and representation. The song emphasizes the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusivity in society.
Line by Line Meaning
Pintor nacido en mi tierra con el pincel extranjero
An artist born in my homeland but working with foreign techniques
Pintor que sigues el rumbo de tantos pintores viejos
Following the footsteps of many old masters
Aunque la virgen sea blanca, píntame angelitos negros
Even though the Virgin Mary is white, paint me black angels
Que también se van al cielo todos los negritos buenos
Because good black people also go to heaven
Pintor que pintas con amor, ¿por qué desprecias su color?
Artist who paints with love, why do you disdain their skin color?
Si sabes que en el cielo también los quiere Dios
When you know that God also loves them in heaven
Pintor de santos de alcobas, si tienes alma en el cuerpo
Painter of bedroom saints, if you have a soul in your body
¿Por qué al pintar en tus cuadros te olvidaste de los negros?
Why did you forget to paint black people in your works?
Siempre pintas iglesias, pintas angelitos bellos
You always paint churches, beautiful angels
Pero nunca te acordaste de pintar un ángel negro
But you never remembered to paint a black angel
Writer(s): Manuel Alvarez Maciste, Eloy Blanco
Contributed by Avery D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gregoriobautistalandero7497
La mejor versión de esta canción sin duda es la de la voz de Celia Cruz ❤️
@juliosalazarfajardo3797
Nuestro orgullo, Andrés Eloy Blanco.. poeta Venezolano. Sus canciones que n grandes voces como la Gran Celia. Dios bendiga a Venezuela y Cuba, pronto seremos Libre..
@sergiotapia9299
Esa voz tan hermosa, tan melodiosa, que parece que no le cuesta ningun esfuerzo regalarla al oído ¡inolvidable Celia!
@juancarlossandovalgari178
Bella versión de esta hermosa canción de cuál la letra es de nuestro Gran Poeta Venezolano Andrés Eloy Blanco
Paz a su Alma
@blancalopez9085
Escuchar esta canción en esta voz melodiosa es un deleite para mis oídos. y ese son que evoca y provoca
@josecruzpalmaortiz3201
Qué belleza orgulloso de ser Mexicano y escuchar nuestras canciones con grandes artistas
@MrLuisced
La cancion está basada en el poema del Poeta Venezolano Andres Blanco, entiendo que ha sido interpretada por muchos interpretes mexicanos pero hay que darle credito a quien se lo merece.
@JJANS.
No es mexicana😛
@gregoriobautistalandero7497
Esta basada en el poema del venezolano Andrés blanco, pero la canción la compuso un mexicano
@dinalugo7980
Que vozarron de mi negra, recuerdos me trae de los 80, siempre estubo vigente