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.
El Banquito
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
un banquito con sus cuatro patas
para en ellas poderles calzar
un surtido cabal de alpargatas.
Y luego irle enseñando
poco poquito a caminar
más tarde, cuando ya sepa
Dale, dale dale a las patas con garbo
Dale, dale dale las tienes que alzar
Dale, dale dale porque más de un árbol olé
Dale, dale dale ¡te ha de envidiar!
Abuelita siéntate también
a probar qué jaleo tan bonito
es dejarse llevar cobre él
cuando baila gentil mi banquito
y canta para que pueda
seguir el ritmo de su cantar,
no grites porque se espanta
y una pirueta te puede tirar.
Dale, dale dale banquito a las patas
Dale, dale dale que salten mejor
Dale, dale dale entre los banquitos olé
Dale, dale dale ¡tu eres un gran primor!
Dale, dale dale con gracias y con arte
Dale, dale dale te has de lucir
Dale, dale dale porque al mirarte olé
Dale, dale dale ¡te van a aplaudir!
The song "El Banquito" by Cri-Cri is a lighthearted and playful tribute to a little wooden stool. In the lyrics, the singer expresses their desire to buy the stool and fit it with a variety of shoes, then teach it how to walk and dance. The stool becomes a companion and source of entertainment, bringing joy to those who sit on it and watch it perform.
The song is a celebration of imagination and the ability to find joy in simple things. The singer takes delight in the idea of an inanimate object coming to life and learning to dance, and imagines the joy it would bring to others. The lyrics are full of playful commands, encouraging the stool to dance and jump, and praising its grace and charm.
Overall, "El Banquito" is a charming and whimsical song that celebrates the joy of imagination and creativity. It encourages listeners to find joy in simple things and to embrace their inner childlike wonder.
Line by Line Meaning
Un banquito quisiera comprar
I want to buy a little bench
un banquito con sus cuatro patas
a bench with all four legs
para en ellas poderles calzar
so that I can put a variety of espadrilles on them
un surtido cabal de alpargatas.
a complete collection of espadrilles
Y luego irle enseñando
And then teach it little by little
poco poquito a caminar
to walk slowly, step by step
más tarde, cuando ya sepa
later, when it already knows how to walk
entusiasmando a cómo bailar,
to teach it how to dance with enthusiasm
Dale, dale dale a las patas con garbo
Give its legs a graceful push
Dale, dale dale las tienes que alzar
Lift those legs up
Dale, dale dale porque más de un árbol olé
Come on, because more than one tree will be jealous
Dale, dale dale ¡te ha de envidiar!
Come on, they will envy you!
Abuelita siéntate también
Grandma, please sit down as well
a probar qué jaleo tan bonito
to experience this lovely commotion
es dejarse llevar cobre él
it is to let oneself be carried away by it
cuando baila gentil mi banquito
when my little bench dances gracefully
y canta para que pueda
and it sings along
seguir el ritmo de su cantar,
following the rhythm of its singing
no grites porque se espanta
don't scream or it'll get scared
y una pirueta te puede tirar.
and it might throw you off balance with a pirouette.
Dale, dale dale banquito a las patas
Come on, little bench, move those legs
Dale, dale dale que salten mejor
Jump higher little by little
Dale, dale dale entre los banquitos olé
Come on, among the little benches, please
Dale, dale dale ¡tu eres un gran primor!
Come on, you're doing great
Dale, dale dale con gracias y con arte
Come on, with elegance and artistry
Dale, dale dale te has de lucir
Come on, you have to shine
Dale, dale dale porque al mirarte olé
Come on, because when they see you, they'll be impressed
Dale, dale dale ¡te van a aplaudir!
Come on, they're going to applaud you!
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.