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.
Chong Ki Fu
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fue acusado de decir
¡Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!
El chinito fue llevado ante un mandarín
Y al llegar le dijo así
¡Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!
Pues estaba dibujado en las garras de un dragón
El chinito fué obligado a volver allí
Pero antes dijo así
¡Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!
¡mow sang li... ¡¡kóu kao!!
Cierto día que pasaba el emperador
El chinito le gritó
¡Yan tse amo oua ting i yan CHONG CHONG!
Cien puñales apuntaron a su corazón
Pero el pidió perdón
Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chang chung fong
El monarca con clemencia a sus guardias ordenó
¡Le concedo la existencia, más no sale del jarrón!
Por mil años el chinito se quedó allí
Y jamás volvio a decir así
¡Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!
Hai lák ¡Ni sei lok sei lok!
The song "Chong Ki Fu" by Cri-Cri is a story about a Chinese figure who was printed on a large jar. He was accused of saying the phrase "Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí," which translates to "I love you" in Chinese. The figure was taken to a magistrate, and when he arrived, he repeated the phrase again. The figure did not want to live in the jar anymore since he was drawn in the claws of a dragon. However, he was forced to return there again. Before he left, he said the phrase again.
One day, when the emperor passed by, the figure shouted out the phrase quiickly, but this time, he added the words "yan chong chong," which caused one hundred daggers to be pointed at him. However, he apologized and changed the last word to "chang chung fong." The emperor showed mercy and spared his life, but the figure was never allowed to leave the jar again. For a thousand years, he remained in the jar and never uttered the phrase again.
This song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of speaking out of turn and the consequences that come with breaking the rules. It highlights the cultural significance and power of language and emphasizes the importance of showing respect for others' cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
Un chinito estampado en un gran jarrón
A little Chinese figure was printed on a huge jar.
Fue acusado de decir ¡Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!
He was accused of saying, 'Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!'
El chinito fue llevado ante un mandarín Y al llegar le dijo así ¡Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!
The little Chinese figure was brought before a mandarin and said the same words as before, 'Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!'
El chinito no quería ya vivir en el jarrón Pues estaba dibujado en las garras de un dragón
The little Chinese figure didn't want to live in the jar anymore because it was drawn in the grip of a dragon.
El chinito fué obligado a volver allí Pero antes dijo así ¡Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí! ¡mow sang li... ¡¡kóu kao!!
The little Chinese figure was forced to go back to the jar, but before he went, he said the same words as before followed by something else, 'Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí! Mow sang li... Kóu kao!!'
Cierto día que pasaba el emperador El chinito le gritó ¡Yan tse amo oua ting i yan CHONG CHONG!
One day when the emperor passed by, the little Chinese figure shouted, 'Yan tse amo oua ting i yan CHONG CHONG!'
Cien puñales apuntaron a su corazón Pero el pidió perdón Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chang chung fong
One hundred daggers were pointed at his heart, but he begged for forgiveness, saying, 'Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chang chung fong.'
El monarca con clemencia a sus guardias ordenó ¡Le concedo la existencia, más no sale del jarrón!
The monarch, with mercy in his heart, commanded his guards, 'I'll let him live, but he must stay inside the jar.'
Por mil años el chinito se quedó allí Y jamás volvio a decir así ¡Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí! Hai lák ¡Ni sei lok sei lok!
The little Chinese figure stayed inside the jar for a thousand years and never again said those words, 'Yan tse amo oua ting i pong chong kí!' and said, 'Hai lák ¡Ni sei lok sei lok!' instead.
Writer(s): Francisco Gabilondo Soler
Contributed by Aria O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.