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.
Cleta Dominga
Cri-Cri Lyrics
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Ya casi al amanecer,
Una negrita pequeña
Tenía el capricho de ver,
De ver brillar en el cielo
La luna tropical,
Esa luna de nacar
Redonda maraca
La negrita Cleta Dominga
Curucutí, curucutá
Quiere ver que salga la luna,
Curucutí, curucutá
Pero estaba el cielo nublado.
Curucutí, curucutá
Me atormenta verte llorando,
No llores negra que ya saldrá.
Me atormenta verte llorosa.
Hey primorosa no llores más!
Y como en boca de lobo
La obscuridad se cerró,
Sin un clarito en las nubes,
Ni tan siquiera un tirón.
Más la negrita esperaba,
No hacía más que esperar,
A esa luna de plata
Que sale temblando
Mojada del mar.
La negrita Cleta Dominga
Curucutí, curucutá
Quiere ver que salga la luna
Curucutí, curucutá
Pero estaba el cielo nublado.
Curucutí, curucutá
Me atormenta verte llorando,
No llores negra que ya saldrá.
Me atormenta verte llorosa.
Hey primorosa no llores más!
The lyrics of Cri-Cri's song Cleta Dominga tell the story of a little black girl named Cleta Dominga who waits outside her cabin early in the morning to see the tropical moon shining in the sky. She is described as having a great desire to witness the beauty of the round, pearl-like moon that emerges from the sea, making a pleasant sound like a maraca. However, when Cleta Dominga comes outside, the sky is overcast and the moon is nowhere to be seen. She is disappointed and starts to cry, but the person with her tries to comfort her and assures her that the moon will eventually appear, lifting her spirits.
The lyrics of the song showcase the simple pleasures that can delight a child's heart, such as the beauty of nature, celestial bodies, and new experiences. The song also highlights the importance of being patient and having hope, even in difficult situations. Overall, the song conveys an uplifting message of optimism and encourages listeners to appreciate the little things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Afuera de su cabaña,
Outside her hut,
Ya casi al amanecer,
Almost at sunrise,
Una negrita pequeña
A little black girl
Tenía el capricho de ver,
Wanted to see
De ver brillar en el cielo
To see shining in the sky
La luna tropical,
The tropical moon,
Esa luna de nacar
That pearly moon
Redonda maraca
Round maraca
Que sale del mar.
That rises from the sea.
La negrita Cleta Dominga
The little black girl Cleta Dominga
Curucutí, curucutá
Curucutí, curucutá
Quiere ver que salga la luna,
Wants to see the moon rise
Pero estaba el cielo nublado.
But the sky was cloudy.
Me atormenta verte llorando,
It torments me to see you crying,
No llores negra que ya saldrá.
Don't cry, black girl, it will rise soon.
Me atormenta verte llorosa.
It torments me to see you crying.
Hey primorosa no llores más!
Hey, lovely girl, don't cry anymore!
Y como en boca de lobo
And like in the mouth of a wolf
La obscuridad se cerró,
The darkness closed in,
Sin un clarito en las nubes,
Without a hint of light in the clouds,
Ni tan siquiera un tirón.
Not even a single little light.
Más la negrita esperaba,
Still the little black girl waited,
No hacía más que esperar,
Just kept waiting,
A esa luna de plata
For that silver moon
Que sale temblando
That rises trembling
Mojada del mar.
Wet from the sea.
Writer(s): Francisco Gabilondo Soler
Contributed by Jordyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.