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.
Ché...Araña
Cri-Cri Lyrics
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Que alumbra un rayo de sol
La araña en sus hilos baila tango
Con los acordes del bandoneón
Don Gato imita el instrumento
Estirando un farolito de papel
Y su cola menea con sentimiento
¡Ché araña!
Bailá con maña
Hay que contar
Tres pasitos
Arrastraditos
Pa′ delante y para atrás
Entre las astillas carcomidas
Que quedan del viejo tonel
Se asoma petulante la clientela
Y de puntillas penetra en él
Brillantes cucarachas aburridas
Pulgones fatigados de picar
Mas otras sabandijas relamidas
Que se reunen a trasnochar
¡Ché araña!
Bailá con maña
Hay que contar
Tres pasitos
Arrastraditos
Pa' delante y para atrás
¡Ché araña!
Bailá con maña
Hay que contar
Tres pasitos
Arrastraditos
Pa′ delante y para atrás
In Cri-Cri's song "Ché...Araña," the lyrics describe a scene in which a spider is dancing a tango with the sound of a bandoneón playing in the background. The spider is in an old, dilapidated barrel that is illuminated by a ray of sunlight. Don Gato mimics the sound of the bandoneón by stretching a paper lantern, moving his tail to the rhythm of the dance. The spider is encouraged to dance with skill, taking three small steps forward and backward. In this small space, other critters gather to watch the performance, including cockroaches, aphids, and other insects.
The song paints a picture of a dark, forgotten space in which life still thrives through music and dance. The spider, the singer of the song, represents the underdog who, even in the darkest places, can find joy and beauty in life. The atmosphere of the song is somewhat eerie, adding to the mystery and allure of the scene. Cri-Cri's storytelling in this song highlights the importance of making the most out of every situation, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Al fondo del barril desvencijado
At the bottom of the ramshackle barrel
Que alumbra un rayo de sol
That's illuminated by a ray of sun
La araña en sus hilos baila tango
The spider dances tango on its threads
Con los acordes del bandoneón
With the chords of the accordion
Don Gato imita el instrumento
Don Gato imitates the instrument
Estirando un farolito de papel
Stretching a little paper lantern
Y su cola menea con sentimiento
And his tail wiggles with feeling
Llevando el ritmo del baile aquel
Following the beat of that dance
¡Ché araña!
Hey spider!
Bailá con maña
Dance skillfully
Hay que contar
You have to count
Tres pasitos
Three little steps
Arrastraditos
Dragged along
Pa' delante y para atrás
Forward and backward
Entre las astillas carcomidas
Between the corroded splinters
Que quedan del viejo tonel
That remain from the old barrel
Se asoma petulante la clientela
The clientele arrogantly appears
Y de puntillas penetra en él
And tiptoes into it
Brillantes cucarachas aburridas
Bright bored cockroaches
Pulgones fatigados de picar
Fatigued aphids from nibbling
Mas otras sabandijas relamidas
But other fawning creeps
Que se reunen a trasnochar
That gather to stay up late
Writer(s): Francisco Gabilondo Soler
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.