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 Sandia
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
muy triste de recordar
que trata de un negrito
con cara angelical
Pero según memoria
al aprender a hablar
salió más de lenguado
Negrito sandía
ya no diga' picardía
Negrito sandía
o te acuso con tu tía
Y mientras ella te va a agarrar
en los cajones he de buscar
una libreta para apuntar
los garrotazos que te va a dar
Con el palo que utiliza
el castigo te horroriza
y después de la paliza
me voy a morir de risa
Negrito sandía
ya no diga picardía
¡oh ya verá, oh ya verá!
Y sigue aquí el cuento
tan triste de repetir
de aquel negrito lindo
igual a un querubín
Por su comportamiento
consejos yo le di
y como buen ingrato
los guardó en un calcetin.
Negrito sandía
(mareas)
cuando dices tonterias
(Tan feas)
y te salen cataplum
(de la boca)
una culebrita loca.
El día que seas mayor de edad
si te presentas en sociedad
serás grosero y descortés
cuando discutas con un marqués.
Pues siguiendo tu costrumbre
hablarás echando lumbre
a demás de buena gana
te echarán por la ventana.
Negrito sandía
ya no diga groseria
¡oh ya verá, oh ya verá!
The song Negrito Sandia by Cri-Cri tells a sad story about a young black boy with an innocent face. The lyrics explain how, when he learned to speak, he spoke more like a flounder than a street parrot. The boy is constantly scolded for his mischievous behavior and is threatened to be reported to his aunt if he continues. The song suggests that the boy is being punished with a stick and the singer is finding it amusing to watch. The boy is warned that if he doesn't stop his misbehavior, he'll be a rude and uncivilized adult.
In the second verse, the story continues with the singer giving advice to the boy on how to behave properly. The boy is described as ungrateful for the advice, discarding it by wrapping it up in a sock. The song implies that the boy’s behavior will lead to him being kicked out of society and becoming a rude and uneducated person.
This song shows the realities of racial disparities, the mistreatment and abuse of a young black boy, and the effects of negative conditioning. It also emphasizes the importance of guidance and proper upbringing in shaping an individual's life. The lyrics of the song are exploring how a pre-existing stereotype can shape people's behavior and ruin their chances of success.
Line by Line Meaning
Te contaré la historia muy triste de recordar
I will tell you a very sad story to remember
que trata de un negrito con cara angelical
about a little black boy with an angelic face
Pero según memoria al aprender a hablar salió más de lenguado que un perico de arrabal
But from memory, when he learned to speak, he sounded more like a flatfish than a common parrot
Negrito sandía ya no diga' picardía
Little black watermelon, don't say naughty things anymore
Negrito sandía o te acuso con tu tía
Little black watermelon, or I will tell your aunt on you
Y mientras ella te va a agarrar en los cajones he de buscar una libreta para apuntar los garrotazos que te va a dar
And while she catches you, I'll look for a notebook to write down the paddlings she is going to give you
Con el palo que utiliza el castigo te horroriza y después de la paliza me voy a morir de risa
The punishment with the stick she uses is terrifying, and after the beating, I'm going to die laughing
Negrito sandía ya no diga picardía ¡oh ya verá, oh ya verá!
Little black watermelon, don't say naughty things anymore; oh, you'll see, you'll see
Y sigue aquí el cuento tan triste de repetir de aquel negrito lindo igual a un querubín
And here is the sad story to repeat of that cute little black boy, just like a cherub
Por su comportamiento consejos yo le di y como buen ingrato los guardó en un calcetin
I gave him advice on his behavior, but like an ungrateful boy, he saved it in a sock
Negrito sandía cuando dices tonterias y te salen cataplum una culebrita loca.
Little black watermelon, when you say foolish things and a crazy little snake comes out of your mouth.
El día que seas mayor de edad si te presentas en sociedad serás grosero y descortés cuando discutas con un marqués.
The day you come of age, if you appear in society, you will be rude and discourteous when you argue with a marquis.
Pues siguiendo tu costrumbre hablarás echando lumbre a demás de buena gana te echarán por la ventana.
Following your custom, you will talk, spewing fire, and gladly they will throw you out the window
Negrito sandía ya no diga groseria ¡oh ya verá, oh ya verá!
Little black watermelon, don't say rude things anymore; oh, you'll see, you'll see
Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.