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.
Negrito Bailarín
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
será todo para ti.
Dulce no es, fruta no es,
nieve tampoco es ...
Si me dices lo que será
te pertenecerá,
piensa despacito
para adivinar ...
Abre la caja
es un juguete
de hoja de lata
para ti ...
¡Un negrito bailarín
de bastón y con bombín,
con clavel en el ojal,
pero que se porta mal!
¡Hey amigo, lo compré
para ve' bailar a uste',
perezoso mueva los pies!
Dale cuerda y ya verás
como se acuerda y puede bailar ...
¡Morenito, vamo a ve'
si por fin se anima uste',
y no' baila algo de tap!
¡Un negrito bailarín
de bastón y con bombín,
con clavel en el ojal,
pero que se porta mal!
¡Hey amigo, lo compré
para ve' bailar a uste',
perezoso mueva los pies!
Dale cuerda y ya verás
como se acuerda y puede bailar ...
¡Morenito, vamo a ve'
si por fin se anima uste',
y no' baila algo de tap!
The lyrics to Cri-Cri's song Negrito Bailarín tell the story of a toy that the singer has brought for someone special. The toy is described as not being sweet or fruity or frozen, but if the person can guess what it is, it will belong to them. The singer encourages the person to guess slowly so they can figure it out. Eventually, the toy is revealed to be a little black man dancer with a cane and a bowler hat, but who misbehaves. The singer bought it for the person to watch it dance and to encourage them to move their feet as well.
The song itself is playful and whimsical, with a catchy melody and a fun beat. The lyrics add to the playful tone by describing the toy in a cryptic way before revealing what it is. The use of the term "negrito" is controversial in modern times, but it was not considered as such when the song was written. The song seems to be encouraging the listener to have fun and let loose, perhaps even dance with the toy, and enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Si sospechas que traigo aquí
If you suspect what I have brought here
será todo para ti.
It will all be for you.
Dulce no es, fruta no es,
It's not sweet, it's not fruit,
nieve tampoco es ...
It's not snow either...
Si me dices lo que será
If you tell me what it will be
te pertenecerá,
It will belong to you,
piensa despacito
Think slowly
para adivinar ...
to guess...
Abre la caja
Open the box
es un juguete
It's a toy
de hoja de lata
made of tin
para ti ...
for you...
¡Un negrito bailarín
A little black dancer
de bastón y con bombín,
with a cane and top hat,
con clavel en el ojal,
with a carnation in his buttonhole
pero que se porta mal!
but who misbehaves!
¡Hey amigo, lo compré
Hey friend, I bought it
para ve' bailar a uste',
to see you dance,
perezoso mueva los pies!
lazy, move your feet!
Dale cuerda y ya verás
Wind it up and you'll see
como se acuerda y puede bailar ...
how it remembers and can dance...
¡Morenito, vamo a ve'
Let's see, little dark one
si por fin se anima uste',
if you'll finally get excited,
y no' baila algo de tap!
and you won't dance some tap!
¡Un negrito bailarín
A little black dancer
de bastón y con bombín,
with a cane and top hat,
con clavel en el ojal,
with a carnation in his buttonhole
pero que se porta mal!
but who misbehaves!
¡Hey amigo, lo compré
Hey friend, I bought it
para ve' bailar a uste',
to see you dance,
perezoso mueva los pies!
lazy, move your feet!
Dale cuerda y ya verás
Wind it up and you'll see
como se acuerda y puede bailar ...
how it remembers and can dance...
¡Morenito, vamo a ve'
Let's see, little dark one
si por fin se anima uste',
if you'll finally get excited,
y no' baila algo de tap!
and you won't dance some tap!
Contributed by Elena W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.