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.
Ratoncitos Paseadores
Cri-Cri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
que estaba en la Alameda
comiendo una cocada
dulce, pintada y buena.
Cuando un niño pobre
vino a decir quedito:
niña bonita, por favorcito!
¿No me das? ¡No, no, no!
Anda sí ¡Oh, que no!
Mira no seas tan mala
dame de tu cocada.
¿No me das? ¡No, no, no!
Anda sí ¡Oh, que no!
Dame y te traigo flores.
¡Ten corazón!
Y con los ojos puestos
sobre la gran cocada
el muchachito hacía
gestos con las quijadas.
Mas la niña elegante,
sin escuchar sus ruegos,
se relamía chocante
con rechupete de mano y dedos.
¿No me das? ¡No, no, no!
Anda sí ¡Oh, que no!
Mira no seas tan mala
dame de tu cocada.
¿No me das? ¡No, no, no!
Anda sí ¡Oh, que no!
Dame y te traigo flores.
¡Ten corazón!
The lyrics of Cri-Cri's song "Ratoncitos Paseadores" tell the story of a rich girl who was enjoying a sweet coconut candy in the Alameda (a public park in Mexico City). A poor boy approached her quietly and asked her for some of the candy that she had left. However, the girl refused to share with him, and even mocked him by making faces and licking her fingers with pleasure. The boy then begged her to have a heart and give him some of the candy, promising to bring her flowers if she did so. Nonetheless, the girl kept on ignoring him and indulging in her treat.
The song is a poignant reminder of the class divide that exists in society, and the tendency among some of the privileged to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. The contrast between the girl's lack of compassion and the boy's humble and polite request for help highlights the importance of empathy and kindness towards those who may have less than we do.
Line by Line Meaning
Era una niña rica
There was a wealthy girl
que estaba en la Alameda
who was at the Alameda
comiendo una cocada
enjoying a coconut sweet
dulce, pintada y buena.
sugary, colorful, and delicious.
Cuando un niño pobre
But when a poor boy
vino a decir quedito:
came to ask meekly:
Dame lo que te sobre
Give me what you have left
niña bonita, por favorcito!
pretty girl, please!
¿No me das? ¡No, no, no!
Won't you give me? No, no, no!
Anda sí ¡Oh, que no!
Come on, yes! Oh, no!
Mira no seas tan mala
Don't be so mean
dame de tu cocada.
give me some of your coconut sweet.
¿No me das? ¡No, no, no!
Won't you give me? No, no, no!
Anda sí ¡Oh, que no!
Come on, yes! Oh, no!
Dame y te traigo flores.
Give me and I'll bring you flowers.
¡Ten corazón!
Have a heart!
Y con los ojos puestos
With his eyes fixed
sobre la gran cocada
on the big coconut sweet
el muchachito hacía
the little boy was making
gestos con las quijadas.
faces with his jaws.
Mas la niña elegante,
But the elegant girl,
sin escuchar sus ruegos,
without listening to his pleas,
se relamía chocante
was licking noisily
con rechupete de mano y dedos.
the remains on her hands and fingers.
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.