Inga
Eva Ayllón Lyrics


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Enciéndete candela, fríete cebolla
Que en mi vida no he visto cordón de soga
Enciéndete candela, fríete cebolla
Que en mi vida he visto cordón de soga

Mi mama, mi taita cuidao con la criatura
Mi mama, mi taita cuidao con la criatura
Ingá, ingá que el niño quiere mamar
Ingá, ingá llevaselo a su mamá
Mi mama, mi taita cuidao con la criatura
Mi mama, mi taita cuidao con la criatura
Ingá, ingá, ingá que el niño quiere mamar
Ingá, ingá llevaselo a su mamá

Enciéndete candela ay,
Que no se quema
Fríete cebolla ay,
Que no se quema
Enciéndete candela ay,
Que no se quema
Fríete cebolla ay,
Que no se quema

Mantequita caliente
Que no se quema
Mantequita caliente
Que no se quema




Mantequita caliente
Que no se quema

Overall Meaning

The song "Inga" by Eva Ayllón has verses that depict the struggles of a mother and father trying to provide for their child. The opening lines "Enciéndete candela, fríete cebolla" (light the fire, fry the onions) are a call to action, as the parents are working hard to create a home and life for their child. The second line "Que en mi vida no he visto cordón de soga" (For in my life, I have not seen a rope cord) speaks to the poverty that the family is living in, as they do not have the luxuries that many others may take for granted.


The rest of the lyrics are a plea from the parents to the titular character, Ingá, a wet nurse or caregiver, to take care of their child as best she can. The repeated line "Ingá, Ingá que el niño quiere mamar" (Ingá, Ingá, the baby wants to nurse) speaks to the parent's desperation for their child to be fed and cared for. The use of the word "criatura" throughout the song emphasizes the fragility and importance of the child.


Overall, "Inga" is a powerful song that speaks to the struggles of poverty and the lengths that parents will go to provide for their children. The musical style of Eva Ayllón is known as Afro-Peruvian, and the song features traditional instruments such as the cajón (percussion box) and quijada (jawbone).


Line by Line Meaning

Enciéndete candela, fríete cebolla
Light up the fire, and fry the onions


Que en mi vida no he visto cordón de soga
Because in my life, I have never seen a rope like this


Mi mama, mi taita cuidao con la criatura
My mother, my father, look after the baby


Ingá, ingá que el niño quiere mamar
Ingá, ingá, the baby wants to breastfeed


Ingá, ingá llevaselo a su mamá
Ingá, ingá, take him to his mother


Enciéndete candela ay, Que no se quema
Light up the fire, but be careful not to burn


Fríete cebolla ay, Que no se quema
Fry the onions, but be careful not to burn


Mantequita caliente, Que no se quema
Warm butter, but be careful not to burn




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Nicomedes Santa Cruz

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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