Ricardo was a dentist who started to paint his face so that kids would not be afraid of him as he worked on their teeth. He became famous when a local TV channel interviewed him. The name Cepillín means little (tooth) brush, "cepillo" ("de dientes") in Spanish.
With Televisa he had a show called El Show de Cepillín. This show was an educational, comedy and interview shows with guests such as Lou Ferrigno (who was Hulk on the popular TV show). The show was a success in Mexico as well as Chile and Puerto Rico. He arguably became the most famous clown in Mexico.
Cepillín also recorded children songs. The most popular songs were La feria de Cepillín (Cepillín's Fair), Tomás ("Thomas") and En el bosque de la China ("In China's forest") and La Gallina Cocoua. Cepillín also helped younger artists to acquire fame such as singer Yuri who took a role in his movie Milagro en el circo ("Miracle in the circus").
Cepillín is currently on a show on Multimedios Television as well as touring with the circus show that bears his name. His last album sold more than one million units in the first three months. On May 24, 2005 he had a heart attack and had to be hospitalized in Puebla, after complaining of chest pain during a presentation with his circus. He has currently been contracted for another talk show ("Cepillín's Live") with Multimedios Television beginning sometime in June 2006. The show will feature both of his son's Ricardo and Roberto Guajardo.
On July 13, 2006 he had a second heart attack and had to be hospitalized in San José Hospital in Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Luckily, Cepillín is in recovery.
A La Vibora De La Mar
Cepillin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
de la mar, de la mar
por aquí pueden pasar.
Los de adelante corren mucho,
y los de atrás se quedarán
tras, tras, tras.
Una Mexicana que fruta vendía,
Vervena vervena jardin de matatena
vervena vervena jardin de matatena
campanita de oro dejame pasar
con todos mis hijos menos el de atras
tras tras.
Será melón, será sandía
será la vieja del otro día
día día día día
(hablado)
The song "A La Vibora De La Mar" by Cepillin is a playful and catchy children's rhyme that describes a specific game played during parties and celebrations in Latin American countries. The song opens with an invitation to join in the fun and the game of "La Vibora de la Mar," which means "The Sea Snake." The game involves standing in a line, holding onto each other's waists, and weaving in and out to imitate the movement of a serpent. Whoever falls or breaks the line loses and has to leave the game. The song explains that the ones at the front have to run fast, or they will also lose the game, while those at the back will have to keep up with the group.
The second verse of the song tells the story of a Mexican fruit vendor selling her goods while the game goes on in the background. The names of the fruit she sells, including plums, apricots, melons, and watermelons, are all mentioned in the lyrics. The chorus is repeated, and the vendor is heard saying, "Let me pass with all my children, except the one at the back," which adds a humorous touch to the story. The last line of the song repeats the question of what type of fruit the vendor is selling, adding the possibility of an old woman being the answer.
Overall, "A La Vibora De La Mar" not only describes a fun traditional game played at parties but also incorporates elements of Latin American culture, such as the fruit vendor's story, and encourages participation and teamwork among children.
Line by Line Meaning
A la víbora, víbora,
Let's form a serpent line, serpent line,
de la mar, de la mar
Along the beach, by the sea,
por aquí pueden pasar.
We can pass through here.
Los de adelante corren mucho,
Those in the front run fast,
y los de atrás se quedarán
But those behind will be left
tras, tras, tras.
Behind, behind, behind.
Una Mexicana que fruta vendía,
There was a Mexican woman selling fruit,
ciruela, chabacano, melón o sandía.
Plums, apricots, melons or watermelons.
Vervena vervena jardin de matatena
Verbenas, verbenas, garden of hopscotch,
vervena vervena jardin de matatena
Verbenas, verbenas, garden of hopscotch,
campanita de oro dejame pasar
Golden bell, let me pass
con todos mis hijos menos el de atras
With all my kids except the last one
tras tras.
Behind, behind.
Será melón, será sandía
It could be melon, it could be watermelon
será la vieja del otro día
It could be the old lady from the other day
día día día día
Day, day, day, day
(hablado)
(spoken)
Contributed by Cameron T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.