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 Mariposa
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a la hora que cantan las hadas.
Una linda mariposa
con brillantes alitas plateadas.
Retoñito que se mueve
y que pronto ha de volar,
cuando vueles no te olvides
de venirme a visitar.
Por eso nosotros
estamos de fiesta,
que venga la orquesta
y empiece a tocar.
Estamos contentos
por la mariposa,
somos felices
queremos bailar.
Ya va la chicharra
a rascar su guitarra,
y el chapulín
a tocar su violín.
Y acompañando
el canto del agua
salta el jilguero
que toca flautín.
The lyrics of Cri-Cri's song La Mariposa describe a beautiful butterfly that was born on a rose at the time of the fairies' singing. The butterfly has shiny silver wings and is described as a sprout that is soon going to fly away. In the last stanza of the song, various insects are taking part in the celebration of the butterfly's birth. The cicada is playing her guitar, the grasshopper is playing his violin, and the goldfinch is playing his flute, while the water is singing along and the characters in the song are happily dancing.
The lyrics of the song highlight the beauty of nature and the interconnectedness of all living things. The butterfly that was born on the rose is being celebrated by other creatures in nature, and even though it is going to fly away, it is being invited to return to the place where it was born. The song carries an underlying message of celebration, joy, and appreciation for the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Nació en una rosa,
A beautiful butterfly born in a rose, at the same time fairies sing
a la hora que cantan las hadas.
It was born at the hour when fairies sing their magical songs.
Una linda mariposa
A pretty butterfly with shiny wings
con brillantes alitas plateadas.
The butterfly's wings are silver and brilliantly shining.
Retoñito que se mueve
A little offspring moving around
y que pronto ha de volar,
It will soon fly away.
cuando vueles no te olvides
Once you fly, remember
de venirme a visitar.
To come back and visit me.
Por eso nosotros
That's why we
estamos de fiesta,
are celebrating
que venga la orquesta
Let the orchestra come
y empiece a tocar.
and start playing music.
Estamos contentos
We are happy
por la mariposa,
because of the butterfly
somos felices
we are joyful
queremos bailar.
we want to dance.
Ya va la chicharra
Now the cicada goes
a rascar su guitarra,
to play its guitar.
y el chapulín
And the grasshopper
a tocar su violín.
play its violin.
Y acompañando
And, adding to the mix,
el canto del agua
the sound of water
salta el jilguero
the goldfinch jumps
que toca flautín.
playing its little flute.
Contributed by Violet L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.