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 Merienda
Cri-Cri Lyrics
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el niño va a merendar
las siete van a sonar
y es cuento de no acabar
porque el pequeño es un llorón
que siempre sale con esta canción:
Hay mamá
porque traen la leche caliente
yo así no la quiero tomar
que se la lleven a enfriar.
Las siete ya van a dar
y el niño va a merendar
las siete van a sonar
y es cuento de no acabar
porque el chiquito es un llorón
que siempre sale con esta canción.
Hay mamá
mira a esta María
siempre trae la leche muy fría
yo así no la quiero tomar
que la vuelva a calentar.
Las siete ya van a dar
y el niño va a merendar
las siete van a sonar
y es cuento de no acabar
porque el pequeño es un llorón
que siempre sale con esta canción.
Hay mamá
ésto tiene nata
la sirvienta esta es una lata
yo así no la quiero tomar
que se la lleve a colar.
The song "La Merienda" by Cri-Cri centers around a child who is about to have his evening snack. As the clock strikes seven, the child starts to complain about the milk served to him. He says that his tooth hurts and he doesn't want to drink the hot milk, asking his mother to take it away and cool it. Then, he starts complaining about the milk being too cold and asks his mother to heat it up again. Finally, he complains about the cream in the milk and requests his mother to strain it.
The lyrics reflect the typical behavior of children who often change their minds, make demands and throw tantrums when it comes to food. The child's behavior is also reflective of his age and inability to make decisions for himself. The mother's patience in listening to her child's demands and trying to find a solution that satisfies her child is also evident in the song.
Overall, the song highlights the dynamics between a mother and child during snack time and the common challenges faced by parents in satisfying the demands of their children.
Line by Line Meaning
Las siete ya van a dar
The clock is nearing 7 and it's time for the child's snack.
el niño va a merendar
The child is going to have a snack.
las siete van a sonar
The clock is going to chime 7.
y es cuento de no acabar
This is a never-ending story.
porque el pequeño es un llorón
Because the little one is a crybaby.
que siempre sale con esta canción:
Who always sings this song:
Hay mamá
Oh, Mama
me duele mi diente
My tooth hurts.
porque traen la leche caliente
Because they bring hot milk.
yo así no la quiero tomar
I don't want to drink it like that.
que se la lleven a enfriar.
Take it away and cool it down.
Hay mamá
Oh, Mama
mira a esta María
Look at this milkmaid Maria
siempre trae la leche muy fría
She always brings very cold milk.
yo así no la quiero tomar
I don't want to drink it like that.
que la vuelva a calentar.
Ask her to heat it up again.
Hay mamá
Oh, Mama
ésto tiene nata
This has cream in it.
la sirvienta esta es una lata
This maid is a pain.
yo así no la quiero tomar
I don't want to drink it like that.
que se la lleve a colar.
Ask her to strain it.
Contributed by Savannah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.