Cri-Cri is known as the "grillito cantor" or "the singing cricket". He is a character created by Francisco Gabilondo Soler in his childhood and may even be considered "his inner personality"
The character became so famous and gave its author such renown, that it became a second name for Gabilondo. In the mid part of the 20th century he became the most recognizable singer of children's songs in Spanish. Gabilondo's dedication to this segment of the population has been greatly admired, comparable to Walt Disney in his honest approach to making life fun for those who are getting started in life.
Batallon De Plomo
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mas al marchar olvidaron
Que hay que tener tambor;
Pero como el batallón
Necesita algún tambor,
En la panza le pegan de palos
Al sargento Barrigón.
Aunque tal vez, por precaución
Se agacha el general
Para dejar pasar
Los corchos que dispara su cañón.
Muy derechos sin mirar atrás jamás
Van los valientes de plomo
Siguiendo a su general;
El honor pide guerrear
Atacar con desición
A un par de payasos burlones
Que se rien del batallón.
Van los soldaditos llenos de valor
Y al disparar su gran cañón
Primero hace: ¡pum!
Luego truena: ¡pom!
Tumbando a los muñecos de cartón.
The song "Batallon de Plomo" by Cri-Cri is about toy soldiers who march bravely into battle, but forget to bring a drum with them. However, since a drum is necessary for a battalion, they resort to hitting the overweight Sergeant's belly as a makeshift drum. Despite this setback, the soldiers are still valiant and continue to follow their leader, even when the mocking clowns taunt them. The song highlights the soldiers' courage and loyalty, as well as their unpreparedness and reliance on makeshift solutions.
The use of toy soldiers as the subject of the song also serves as a commentary on the realities of war. Just as the toy soldiers are mere playthings, real soldiers are often sent into battle without adequate preparation or resources. The fact that the drum is such a crucial element to the battalion's success, but is overlooked, emphasizes the idea that sometimes the most essential things can be forgotten or taken for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Van los soldaditos llenos de valor
The brave soldiers are going forward with valor and courage.
Mas al marchar olvidaron
But they forgot something while marching.
Que hay que tener tambor;
They should have had a drum with them.
Pero como el batallón
However, the battalion needs a drum.
Necesita algún tambor,
They need a drum for their march.
En la panza le pegan de palos
So, they beat the overweight sergeant's belly like a drum.
Al sargento Barrigón.
The overweight sergeant is called Barrigon.
Aunque tal vez, por precaución
Perhaps, as a precautionary measure.
Se agacha el general
The general crouches.
Para dejar pasar
To let something pass.
Los corchos que dispara su cañón.
The general is shooting the corks from his cannon.
Muy derechos sin mirar atrás jamás
They are walking straight without ever looking back.
Van los valientes de plomo
The brave soldiers made of lead go forward.
Siguiendo a su general;
Following their general's lead.
El honor pide guerrear
Their honor demands them to fight.
Atacar con desición
They have decided to attack.
A un par de payasos burlones
They have targeted a couple of mocking clowns.
Que se rien del batallón.
Who were laughing at the battalion.
Y al disparar su gran cañón
And when they fire their big cannon,
Primero hace: ¡pum!
It makes a 'boom' sound first!
Luego truena: ¡pom!
And then it roars, 'boom'!
Tumbando a los muñecos de cartón.
Knocking down the cardboard dolls.
Writer(s): Cri Cri
Contributed by Tristan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.