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.
Los Caballitos
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
los grandotes y los chiquitos
porque allá en la caballeriza
la comida se sirvió
tienen ahí su alfalfa
fresca y verde como esmeralda
invitandolos a ponerse un atracón.
pero atras uno quedó
un caballo con un callo
que al correr se le inflamó
Corren los caballitos
los grandotes y los chiquitos
porque allá en la caballeriza
Doña Paja los llamó.
Corren los caballitos
los grandotes y los chiquitos
porque allá en la caballeriza
la comida se sirvió
tienen ahí su alfalfa
fresca y verde como esmeralda
invitandolos a ponerse un atracón.
Todos ellos corren mucho
pero atrás uno quedó
un potrito caprichoso
que al suelo se tiró
Corren los caballitos
los grandotes y los chiquitos
porque allá en la caballeriza
Doña Paja los llamó.
The lyrics to Cri-Cri's song Los Caballitos describe a group of horses running to the stable to eat fresh and green alfalfa. The big and small horses run eagerly to the stable as if they know that food has been served. The alfalfa is tempting and inviting, and the horses munch on it hungrily. Amidst this eagerness, the song also narrates about one horse with a callus that was swollen when it started to run.
As the horses reach the stable, they receive a call from Doña Paja, the owner, to come and eat. The horses run towards her voice, leaving behind the one with the sore callus and a capricious colt that has fallen on the ground. The song is a beautiful depiction of horses' behavior and their natural instincts. It portrays how they run towards their food and their eagerness to eat when it is served.
Line by Line Meaning
Corren los caballitos
The horses are running
los grandotes y los chiquitos
The big ones and the little ones alike
porque allá en la caballeriza
Because over there in the stable
la comida se sirvió
The food has been served
tienen ahí su alfalfa
They have their alfalfa there
fresca y verde como esmeralda
Fresh and green like an emerald
invitandolos a ponerse un atracón.
Inviting them to eat their fill
Todos ellos corren mucho
All of them run a lot
pero atras uno quedó
But one was left behind
un caballo con un callo
A horse with a sore
que al correr se le inflamó
That became inflamed when it ran
Corren los caballitos
The horses are running
los grandotes y los chiquitos
The big ones and the little ones alike
porque allá en la caballeriza
Because over there in the stable
Doña Paja los llamó.
Doña Paja called for them.
Corren los caballitos
The horses are running
los grandotes y los chiquitos
The big ones and the little ones alike
porque allá en la caballeriza
Because over there in the stable
la comida se sirvió
The food has been served
tienen ahí su alfalfa
They have their alfalfa there
fresca y verde como esmeralda
Fresh and green like an emerald
invitandolos a ponerse un atracón.
Inviting them to eat their fill
Todos ellos corren mucho
All of them run a lot
pero atrás uno quedó
But one was left behind
un potrito caprichoso
A stubborn little colt
que al suelo se tiró
That threw itself to the ground
Corren los caballitos
The horses are running
los grandotes y los chiquitos
The big ones and the little ones alike
porque allá en la caballeriza
Because over there in the stable
Doña Paja los llamó.
Doña Paja called for them.
Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.