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.
La Maquinita
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
va la maquinita
echando humo de algodón
pu pu pu, pu pu pu
todos los muñecos
se marcharon de excursión.
Y desde las ventanillas
a los toros y vaquillas
ocupados en comer.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
mientras tiene cuerda
el trencito va muy bien
pu pu pu, pu pu pu
oh, qué divertido
es poder así viajar.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
por un túnel negro
el trencito va a pasar
a los pobres muñequitos
asustó la obscuridad
qué contentos se pusieron
al volver la claridad.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
va el ferrocarril
como si fuera de verdad.
The song "La Maquinita" by Cri-Cri is a playful and imaginative tune that describes the adventures of a toy train, or "maquinita," as it chugs along, trailing cotton smoke behind it. The song opens with onomatopoeic sounds of the train whistling and steaming, and introduces the idea that all the dolls and toys have gone on a field trip together. The train takes them through the countryside, where they observe the cows and bulls grazing in the fields. The second verse describes the thrill of traveling by toy train, with the rhythmic repetition of "pu pu pu" evoking the sound of the wheels turning. The train then enters a dark tunnel, which initially frightens the dolls, but when they emerge into the light they are delighted to have ridden through the tunnel.
The song presents a fantastical view of the world, where toys come to life and go on adventures together. The repetition of the onomatopoeic sounds creates a sense of movement and excitement, and the lyrics paint a vivid picture of the toys' journey. The song also encourages a sense of wonder and imagination, as it celebrates the joy of exploring the world and taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle is blowing repeatedly
va la maquinita
The little train is moving along the tracks
echando humo de algodón
The train is emitting cotton-like smoke
todos los muñecos
All of the dolls
se marcharon de excursión.
Went on a field trip.
Y desde las ventanillas
And from the windows
por los campos pueden ver
They can see the fields
a los toros y vaquillas
The bulls and cows
ocupados en comer.
Are busy eating.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle is blowing repeatedly
mientras tiene cuerda
As long as it's wound up
el trencito va muy bien
The little train runs smoothly
pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle is blowing repeatedly
oh, qué divertido
Oh, how fun
es poder así viajar.
It's great being able to travel like this.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle is blowing repeatedly
por un túnel negro
Through a dark tunnel
el trencito va a pasar
The little train will go through
a los pobres muñequitos
The poor little dolls
asustó la obscuridad
Were scared of the darkness
qué contentos se pusieron
How happy they were
al volver la claridad.
When the light came back.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle is blowing repeatedly
va el ferrocarril
The little train is moving
como si fuera de verdad.
As if it was real.
Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.