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.
Marcha De Las Canicas
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
rodando van bajando las canicas,
brincando escalón por escalón
sin ton ni son,
saltando libres y locas.
Allá se van
sin nadie que pudiera perseguirlas,
y de jugar
con sus rebotes de cristal.
Por la escalera tutiplén
van las canicas en tropel.
10, y 20, y 30 y 40 y más de cien.
Al escapar
se fueron cuesta abajo las canicas,
formando un torrente de bolitas
saltarinas
en alegre libertad.
Desde el desván
rodando van bajando las canicas,
brincando escalón por escalón
sin ton ni son,
saltando libres y locas.
Allá se van
sin nadie que pudiera perseguirlas,
huyendo por el gusto de correr
y de jugar
con sus rebotes de cristal.
The lyrics of Cri-Cri's song "Marcha De Las Canicas" capture the playful essence of a childhood game. The song opens with the image of marbles rolling down from an attic, making their way down the stairs, bouncing off each step without a care in the world. The marbles are free-spirited and unrestrained as they run away from anything that could possibly catch them. They are driven purely by the joy of running and playing with their crystal bounces.
In the second verse, the marbles continue their journey down the stairs in a hurry, forming a troop of bouncing balls that cannot be stopped. The stairs are alive with the sound of their movement. At one point the marbles make their escape down the slope and come together to create an exuberant display of bouncing and rolling, all done in the spirit of lively freedom.
The song captures the playful spirit of childhood and reminds us of the joy of play. It is a celebration of freedom and imagination, and it encourages listeners to enjoy the thrill of the moment without a care in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Desde el desván
From the attic
rodando van bajando las canicas,
Rolling, they go down the marbles,
brincando escalón por escalón
Jumping step by step
sin ton ni son,
Without rhyme or reason,
saltando libres y locas.
Jumping free and crazy.
Allá se van
There they go
sin nadie que pudiera perseguirlas,
Without anyone to chase them,
huyendo por el gusto de correr
Running just for the fun of it,
y de jugar
And to play
con sus rebotes de cristal.
With their glass bounces.
Por la escalera tutiplén
Through the stairs tutiplen
van las canicas en tropel.
The marbles in a stampede.
10, y 20, y 30 y 40 y más de cien.
10, 20, 30, 40 and more than hundred.
Al escapar
When they escape
se fueron cuesta abajo las canicas,
The marbles went down the hill,
formando un torrente de bolitas
Forming a stream of little balls
saltarinas
Jumping
en alegre libertad.
In happy freedom.
Desde el desván
From the attic
rodando van bajando las canicas,
Rolling, they go down the marbles,
brincando escalón por escalón
Jumping step by step
sin ton ni son,
Without rhyme or reason,
saltando libres y locas.
Jumping free and crazy.
Allá se van
There they go
sin nadie que pudiera perseguirlas,
Without anyone to chase them,
huyendo por el gusto de correr
Running just for the fun of it,
y de jugar
And to play
con sus rebotes de cristal.
With their glass bounces.
Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.