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.
Mi Amigo Hans
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
tiene un tío alemán
que es un señor
muy enojón;
Sin más ni más
le proohíbe
que se junte con nosotros
No hay que tratar
de querer salir
le dice¡Nein!
¡Hans, du das nicht!
Metido en una pieza
sin que saque la cabeza
al muchacho no le pega
nunca el sol.
Pues siempre a toda hora
lo pone a estudiar
la física, la química
la historia natural.
Clavado en los libros
el chico suspira,
bosteza, se estira
¡pobre Hans!
Pues quiere que el sobrino
sea sobrenatural
sabiendo cinco idiomas
y hasta cálculo integral.
Clavado en sus libros
el chico suspira,
bosteza, se estira
¡pobre Hans!
In Cri-Cri's song "Mi Amigo Hans," he introduces us to his friend Hans who has a strict German uncle. This uncle is very stern, and has forbidden Hans from playing with Cri-Cri and their group of friends. The uncle wants Hans to focus solely on his studies, forbidding him from having fun or even going outside. Hans' life is a lonely and isolated one, forced to spend all his time studying physics, chemistry, and natural history. He's always indoors, buried in his books, and longing for some fresh air.
The lyrics convey a sense of sympathy for Hans, who is stuck in his room day and night with no escape. The words describing his struggle suggest that the uncle's demands are harsh, and undue. The song might have been composed to at once provide a cautionary tale for parents with similarly strict attitudes, as well as to offer comfort and encouragement to young people enduring similarly restrictive upbringings. The song speaks to the importance of balance and freedom, of allowing children to grow, explore, and make mistakes. It urges adults to recognize and respect their children's natural curiosity and playfulness.
Overall, "Mi Amigo Hans" is a poignant and relatable tale of stifled potential, lost friendships, and the cruelty of overbearing authority. Through its detailed and heartfelt lyrics, the song is a powerful lesson in the importance of free expression, and the need for balance in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Mi amigo Hans
The singer's friend's name is Hans
tiene un tío alemán
Hans has a German uncle
que es un señor
The uncle is an adult male
muy enojón;
The uncle is often angry
Sin más ni más
Suddenly
le proohíbe
He forbids Hans
que se junte con nosotros
From hanging out with us
para irnos a jugar.
To play with us
No hay que tratar
We shouldn't try
de querer salir
To get him to come out
le dice¡Nein!
He says no in German
¡Hans, du das nicht!
Telling Hans not to do it
Metido en una pieza
Stuck in a room
sin que saque la cabeza
Without coming out
al muchacho no le pega
The boy never gets
nunca el sol.
To be in the sun
Pues siempre a toda hora
Because all the time
lo pone a estudiar
He makes him study
la física, la química
Physics, chemistry
la historia natural.
And natural history
Clavado en los libros
Studying hard
el chico suspira,
The boy sighs
bosteza, se estira
Yawns and stretches
¡pobre Hans!
Poor Hans!
Pues quiere que el sobrino
The uncle wants his nephew
sea sobrenatural
To be supernatural
sabiendo cinco idiomas
By knowing five languages
y hasta cálculo integral.
And even integral math.
Contributed by Lucy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.