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 Ropavejero
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
cargando un tambache
por todas las calles
de la gran ciudad.
El señor Tlacuache
compra cachivaches,
y para comprarlos
suele pregonar.
¡Botellas que vendan!
zapatos usados!
¡Sombreros estropeados,
pantalones remendados!
Cambio, vendo y compro por igual!
¡Chamacos malcriados!
¡Miedosos que vendan!
¡Y niños que acostumbren
dar chillidos o gritar!
¡Cambio, vendo y compro por igual!
Ahí viene el Tlacuache
cargando un tambache
por todas las calles
de la gran ciudad.
El señor Tlacuache
compra cachivaches,
y para comprarlos
suele pregonar.
¡Papeles que vendan!
¡Periódicos viejos!
¡Tiliches chamuscados
y trevejos cuatrapeados!
¡Cambio, vendo y compro por igual!
¡Comadres chismosas!
¡Cotorras latosas!
¡Y viejas regañonas
pa' meter en mi costal!
¡Cambio, vendo y compro!
¡Compro, vendo y cambio!
¡Cambio, vendo y compro por igual!
The lyrics to Cri-Cri's song "El Ropavejero" describe a street vendor named Tlacuache who travels through the city's streets carrying a bundle of all sorts of things he buys and sells. Tlacuache shouts out loud what he has available for sale and urges people to bring to him what they want to sell as well. He doesn't discriminate and will buy almost anything, from used shoes and clothes to old newspapers and even noisy children. The song's catchy tune and humorous lyrics paint a vivid and colorful picture of a bustling city and its diverse inhabitants.
At the heart of the song lies a critique of consumerism and the relentless pursuit of material goods. Tlacuache's character represents an unending cycle of buying and selling, where everything and everyone is just another commodity to be traded. Through this lens, the song may also be read as a commentary on the exploitative nature of capitalism and the social inequalities it creates.
Line by Line Meaning
Ahí viene el Tlacuache cargando un tambache por todas las calles de la gran ciudad.
There comes the Tlacuache carrying a giant sack through every street of the great city.
El señor Tlacuache compra cachivaches, y para comprarlos suele pregonar.
Mr. Tlacuache buys odds and ends, and to sell them he usually shouts.
¡Botellas que vendan! zapatos usados! ¡Sombreros estropeados, pantalones remendados! Cambio, vendo y compro por igual!
Bottles for sale! used shoes! damaged hats, patched pants! Exchange, sell and buy equally!
¡Chamacos malcriados! ¡Miedosos que vendan! ¡Y niños que acostumbren dar chillidos o gritar! ¡Cambio, vendo y compro por igual!
Ill-mannered kids! scared ones for sale! and children that usually scream or yell! Exchange, sell and buy equally!
¡Papeles que vendan! ¡Periódicos viejos! ¡Tiliches chamuscados y trebejos cuatrapeados! ¡Cambio, vendo y compro por igual!
Papers for sale! old newspapers! scorched gadgets and broken trinkets! Exchange, sell and buy equally!
¡Comadres chismosas! ¡Cotorras latosas! ¡Y viejas regañonas pa' meter en mi costal! ¡Cambio, vendo y compro! ¡Compro, vendo y cambio! ¡Cambio, vendo y compro por igual!
Gossiping old ladies! Annoying parrots! And grumpy old women to put in my bag! Exchange, sell and buy! Buy, sell and exchange! Exchange, sell and buy equally!
Contributed by Dylan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.