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 tune about a toy train that comes to life, transporting its passengers (a group of dolls and figurines) on a fun and exciting excursion through the countryside. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, consisting mostly of the sound of the train chugging along ("pu pu pu") and descriptions of the journey. The train is personified through the use of the word "maquinita", or "little machine", and the use of anthropomorphic language, such as "echando humo de algodón" (emitting cotton smoke).
The song is meant to be a lighthearted, imaginative escape for children, encouraging them to use their imaginations and explore the world around them. The journey takes the passengers through fields where they can observe cows and bulls grazing, and even through a dark tunnel, which initially scares the dolls before they emerge safely into the light. The idea of a toy train coming to life and taking its passengers on an adventure is a classic children's fantasy, promoting a sense of wonder and excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The sound of the train whistle
Va la maquinita
The little machine is moving forward
Echando humo de algodón
Making cotton smoke
Todos los muñecos
All the dolls
Se marcharon de excursión.
Went on a trip.
Y desde las ventanillas
And from the windows
Por los campos pueden ver
They can see the fields
A los toros y vaquillas
Bulls and cows
Ocupados en comer.
Busy eating.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle repeats
Mientras tiene cuerda
While the toy is still wound up
El trencito va muy bien
The little train goes just fine.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle sounds again
Oh, qué divertido
Oh, how fun!
Es poder así viajar.
To travel like this is amazing.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle repeats again
Por un túnel negro
Through a dark tunnel
El trencito va a pasar
The little train goes through it
A los pobres muñequitos
Poor little dolls
Asustó la obscuridad
The darkness scared them
Qué contentos se pusieron
How happy they were
Al volver la claridad.
When the light returned.
Pu pu pu, pu pu pu
The train whistle sounds again
Va el ferrocarril
The train travels
Como si fuera de verdad.
As if it were real.
Writer(s): Cri-cri, Francisco Gabilondo Soler
Contributed by Jordyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.