Cri-Cri is a fictional character, an anthropomorphic cricket, created by Fr… Read Full Bio ↴Cri-Cri is a fictional character, an anthropomorphic cricket, created by Francisco Gabilondo Soler in 1934 while broadcasting his own musical radio show on Mexico's station XEW.
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.

Rusiana
Cri-Cri Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Por la estepa rusa
un trineo va,
va a toda prisa
para la ciudad.

Un osito barbudo y barrigón
con balalaica canta esta canción:

Hola hola ulalá,
Hola hola ulalá.
Ponka, pinshki, pas petruska
rosca rosca ulalá.

Hola hola ulalá,
Hola hola ulalá.
Ochichornia, zanahoria, calabaza ulalá

Hola hola ulalaáa
hoola hoola uuuu

Overall Meaning

The song "Rusiana" by Cri-Cri is an ode to the Russian countryside, where the singer describes a sleigh ride through the vast expanses of the Russian steppes. The singer tells us of a bearded and plump little bear, who sings a song to pass the time during the journey. The lyrics of the song are a mix of Russian words and nonsense syllables, creating a playful and joyful atmosphere. The words Ponka, pinshki, pas petruska and rosca rosca ulalá do not have any particular meaning in Russian, but they are used here to mimic the sound of Russian phrases. The song creates a whimsical and lighthearted mood, conjuring up images of carefree sleigh rides through the snowy countryside with friends.

This song, like many other songs by Cri-Cri, was written for children, and it succeeds in bringing the wonder and excitement of travel to a young audience. The song encourages children to explore the world and embrace new experiences, no matter how strange they may seem at first. The lighthearted, nonsense lyrics also teach children to appreciate the beauty of language for its own sake, and to enjoy the sound of words and melodies purely for the pleasure they bring.

Line by Line Meaning

Por la estepa rusa
A sled is traveling across the vast Russian steppe

un trineo va,
The sled is moving fast

va a toda prisa
It's rushing to the city

para la ciudad.
To reach the city.

Un osito barbudo y barrigón
A chubby, bearded little bear

con balalaica canta esta canción:
Is singing this song with a balalaika in hand:

Hola hola ulalá,
A greeting, 'hello-hello,' followed by a nonsense word

Hola hola ulalá.
The same greeting again

Ponka, pinshki, pas petruska
Nonsense phrases for fun

rosca rosca ulalá.
More nonsensical words to the same tune

Hola hola ulalá,
The same greeting again