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.
Cocuyito Playero
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
quien va por la obscuridad?
quien va por la obscuridad?
la noche cayó,
por todas partes solo hay obscuridad
la noche cayó,
y ya no vemos para donde caminar
negrito ven junto a mi
y si es de noche has de saber
que a los negritos no puedo ver.
Cocuyito playero
ilumina el sendero
con tu linterna de plata
dame luz
cocuyito playero
tú sabes que te quiero
llevame a mi casita
en Veracruz.
Quien va por la obscuridad?
quien va por la obscuridad?
quien va por la obscuridad?
la noche cayó,
y todo está mucho más negro que el carbón
hay que comprender
que ni siquiera mis narices puedo ver
negrito ven para cá
agarra fuerte mi cinturón
pero camina no hay que jalar
porque me expones a un tropezón.
Cocuyito playero
ilumina el sendero
con tu linterna de plata
dame luz
cocuyito playero
tú sabes que te quiero
llevame a mi casita
en Veracruz
en Veracruz
en Veracruz.
The lyrics of Cri-Cri's song "Cocuyito Playero" tell the story of a person who is lost in the darkness and seeks the help of a little bug called "cocuyito playero", who carries a silver lantern to light up the path. The person is asking for help as they cannot see where to go and have lost someone called "negrito". The song creates an image of complete darkness where the person is lost and fearful of being unable to see anything. The use of "negrito" also hints at the racial discrimination and inequality that was prevalent at the time the song was written. The "cocuyito playero" is the only source of light and guidance for the person in the darkness.
The person expresses their gratitude towards the "cocuyito playero" for guiding them home and expresses their love for the bug for helping them through the darkness. The song is a simple and sweet illustration of a metaphorical relationship between a human and the natural world. It is also an ode to Veracruz, a city located in Mexico, a place where the person wants to be taken back to with the help of the firefly.
Overall, Cri-Cri's song "Cocuyito Playero" has a deep meaning hidden in its light-hearted tune, with themes of fear, the struggle for survival, and the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Quien va por la obscuridad?
Asking who is going through the darkness
quien va por la obscuridad?
Asking who is going through the darkness
quien va por la obscuridad?
Asking who is going through the darkness
la noche cayó,
The night has fallen
por todas partes solo hay obscuridad
Everywhere is pitch-black darkness
la noche cayó,
The night has fallen
y ya no vemos para donde caminar
We can no longer see where to walk
negrito ven junto a mi
Little black child come next to me
pues hace rato que te perdí
Because I lost you a while ago
y si es de noche has de saber
And if it's night, you know
que a los negritos no puedo ver.
I can't see the little black children
Cocuyito playero
Beach firefly
ilumina el sendero
Light up the path
con tu linterna de plata
With your silver lantern
dame luz
Give me light
cocuyito playero
Beach firefly
tú sabes que te quiero
You know I love you
llevame a mi casita
Take me to my little house
en Veracruz.
In Veracruz.
quien va por la obscuridad?
Asking who is going through the darkness
quien va por la obscuridad?
Asking who is going through the darkness
quien va por la obscuridad?
Asking who is going through the darkness
la noche cayó,
The night has fallen
y todo está mucho más negro que el carbón
And everything is much blacker than coal
hay que comprender
We must understand
que ni siquiera mis narices puedo ver
That I can't even see my nose
negrito ven para cá
Little black child come over here
agarra fuerte mi cinturón
Hold tight onto my belt
pero camina no hay que jalar
But walk, don't pull
porque me expones a un tropezón.
Because you might make me trip.
Cocuyito playero
Beach firefly
ilumina el sendero
Light up the path
con tu linterna de plata
With your silver lantern
dame luz
Give me light
cocuyito playero
Beach firefly
tú sabes que te quiero
You know I love you
llevame a mi casita
Take me to my little house
en Veracruz
In Veracruz
en Veracruz.
In Veracruz.
Contributed by Xavier O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.