The band started out as a project to cover radio songs from the '30s, '40s and '50s and have released more than a half-dozen records since then.
Marcelino Pan Y Vino
El Consorcio Lyrics
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que ya empieza alborear
doce frailes cuidan tu vida
guardan tu alma contra el mal
Marcelino, Marcelino
ya llegó tu despertar.
Marcelino, Marcelino
come, come mucho
como Fray Papilla
come la tortilla y come mucho pan.
Que bien suenan las campanas
si las toca el niño y Fray Talán
tilín talán.
Dos y dos son cuatro
cuatro y dos son ocho
ocho y ocho…veinte
que barbaridad.
Reza, reza Marcelino
que un buen niño debe orar.
The lyrics to El Consorcio's song Marcelino Pan Y Vino reflect the story of Marcelino, a young orphan boy who is taken in by a group of Franciscan friars. The lyrics encourage Marcelino to dream and to trust the twelve friars who watch over him, protecting him from evil and guiding his soul towards goodness. Marcelino is urged to wake up and begin his day, with the simple act of washing with soap before he eats breakfast, which is described as being substantial, with a reference to a friar named Fray Papilla who also eats a lot. The sound of the bells rung by the boy and Fray Talán in the chapel add to the peaceful environment where Marcelino lives, creating a sense of security and belonging. The lyrics even include a basic arithmetic lesson as Marcelino is quizzed on simple mathematical equations. The lyrics conclude with a reminder for Marcelino to pray, as his faith is considered a necessary component of being a good person.
Line by Line Meaning
Sueña, sueña Marcelino
Marcelino, dream on
que ya empieza alborear
because the dawn is breaking
doce frailes cuidan tu vida
Twelve monks guard your life
guardan tu alma contra el mal
and protect your soul from the devil
Marcelino, Marcelino
Marcelino, Marcelino
ya llegó tu despertar.
now it's time to wake up.
con jabón te has de lavar
You need to wash with soap
come, come mucho
Eat, eat a lot
como Fray Papilla
like Brother Papilla
come la tortilla y come mucho pan.
Eat the tortilla and a lot of bread
Que bien suenan las campanas
How well the bells ring
si las toca el niño y Fray Talán
if the boy and Brother Talán ring them
tilín talán.
ding dong.
Dos y dos son cuatro
Two and two are four
cuatro y dos son ocho
four and two makes eight
ocho y ocho veinte
eight and eight is twenty.
que barbaridad.
What a mess!
Reza, reza Marcelino
Pray, pray Marcelino
que un buen niño debe orar.
because a good child should pray.
Contributed by Hailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.