Morente has given solo recitals in all the major Spanish cities, has worked with the Joaquín Cortés troupe, and was featured in the soundtracks for the films Sobreviviré and Buñuel y La mesa del Rey Salomón. She has also won an Ondas prize for the Best Flamenco Creation, and was nominated for a Grammy and two Amigo prizes.
La Gazpacha
Estrella Morente Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Au Le le le le la
Ay bautizaron, bautizaron
A una mora y a España se la trajeron,
Y a España se la trajeron
Ay en la pila, ay en la pila del bautismo
Candelaria le pusieron
Tú te colocas y en frente de mi,
Que por si acaso yo me caigo pa trás
Empújale el columpio
Empújale el columpio,
Empújale el columpio ya (bis)
Mamá mamá no quiero eso (×2)
Mamá mamá no quiero na′ (×2)
Que quiero que vengas a verme
De tu propia voluntad,
De tu propia voluntad
Ay a la bimbombera
Flores del campo me voy con ella
Ay yo pensé haber cogio
La naranja y el Azahar,
Con hacer leña del tronco (×2)
Me tuve que conformar
Ay suspiros del corazón
Salid de mi pecho ardiendo
Y se van a descansar (×2)
Donde dos pelos amor tengo
Y vos y vos
Que despacito pasaban
Las manillas del reloj
Y vos y vos
Dalte la vuelta ligero
Como se la da el reloj
Por ver a mi mare diera
Un deito de la mia
Manita
Que otra cosa no sea
Ay un lere un lere un lere
Con los ojos de mi niña yo me alumbrare (×2)
Ay un lere un lere un lere
Con los ojos de mi curro yo me alumbrare (×4)
Ay un lere un lere un lere
Con los ojos de mi niño yo me alumbrare (×2)
The song "La Gazpacha" by Estrella Morente is a mixture of traditional Spanish and Arabic influences. The song is about a baptism and the cultural exchange between Spain and the Muslim world. The lyrics describe the baptism of a Moorish woman who was brought to Spain and given the name Candelaria. The chorus of "Au Le le le le" is a traditional Arabic chant used for celebrations and is used here to celebrate the baptism.
The song then transitions to a lullaby-like tune that describes a child swinging on a swing, with the mother urging someone to push the swing. The lyrics also express the desire for the mother to visit the child of her own free will, rather than feeling obligated. The next verse is a reference to a popular Spanish children's game called "la bimbombera," where children pick wildflowers and dance around in a circle. The lyrics express a desire to join in on the fun of the game.
The song continues with references to oranges and azahar (orange blossom), which are both popular symbols in Spanish culture. The lyrics express a sentiment of making the best of what one has, as the singer is satisfied with "making firewood out of the tree." The song then transitions to a more romantic theme, with the singer expressing longing for someone who makes her heart beat faster. The song ends with a repetition of the "Au Le le le le" chant.
Overall, "La Gazpacha" is a celebration of the cultural exchange between Spain and the Muslim world, with elements of both cultures present in the song. The lyrics express themes of celebration, childhood innocence, and romance, along with a desire for cultural unity and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Au Le le le le le
The start of a musical refrain, expressing happiness or excitement.
Au Le le le le la
Continuation of the refrain, expressing joy or enthusiasm.
Ay bautizaron, bautizaron
A woman was baptized, signifying a conversion to Christianity.
A una mora y a España se la trajeron,
The woman was a Moor who was brought to Spain.
Y a España se la trajeron
The woman was taken to Spain and became part of its culture.
Ay en la pila, ay en la pila del bautismo
The ceremony of baptism took place in a baptismal font.
Candelaria le pusieron,
The woman was given the name 'Candelaria' during the baptism.
Tú te colocas y en frente de mi,
You move closer and stand in front of me.
Que por si acaso yo me caigo pa trás
You stand behind me to catch me in case I fall backwards.
Empújale el columpio
Push the swing for me to enjoy.
Empújale el columpio,
Repeat of previous line.
Empújale el columpio ya (bis)
Push the swing now.
Mamá mamá no quiero eso (×2)
Child does not want something and keeps repeating it to their mother.
Mamá mamá no quiero na′ (×2)
Child does not want anything at all and keeps repeating it to their mother.
Que quiero que vengas a verme
The child wants the mother to come visit them.
De tu propia voluntad,
The child wants the mother to visit freely, without being asked.
Ay a la bimbombera
Going to a fair or carnival with music and entertainment.
Flores del campo me voy con ella
Going to the countryside to gather wild flowers with companionship.
Ay yo pensé haber cogio
I thought I had taken something.
La naranja y el Azahar,
Oranges and other citrus fruit (azahar) that grow in Spain.
Con hacer leña del tronco (×2)
Having cut down the tree, I only had the trunk for firewood.
Me tuve que conformar
I had to settle for what little I could gather for firewood.
Ay suspiros del corazón
Sighs of the heart or deep yearning felt within the chest.
Salid de mi pecho ardiendo
The sighs are felt intensely and burn within the chest.
Y se van a descansar (×2)
The sighs eventually subside and find peace.
Donde dos pelos amor tengo
Where I have minimal love or affection.
Y vos y vos
You and you (referring to individuals).
Que despacito pasaban
Passing by slowly and calmly.
Las manillas del reloj
The hands of the clock moving slowly.
Dalte la vuelta ligero
Turn around quickly or make a swift turn.
Como se la da el reloj
Like the turning motion of the clock's hands.
Por ver a mi mare diera
I would give anything to see my mother.
Un deito de la mia
A finger from my own hand.
Manita
Endearing term meaning 'little hand.'
Que otra cosa no sea
There's nothing else I would trade except for that.
Ay un lere un lere un lere
Musical refrain expressing joy, excitement, or rhythm.
Con los ojos de mi niña yo me alumbrare (×2)
The brightness or glow of a child's eyes makes me happy and brings me joy and light.
Con los ojos de mi curro yo me alumbrare (×4)
The brightness or glow of my partner's eyes shines light on my life and makes me happy and joyful.
Con los ojos de mi niño yo me alumbrare (×2)
The brightness or glow of a child's eyes makes me happy and brings me joy and light.
Writer(s): Enrique Morente, Morente Carbonell Estrella De
Contributed by Declan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.