Criollita Santiagueña
Hernan Figueroa Reyes Lyrics
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morena linda
por ti cantan los changos
sus vidalitas, santiagueña.
Criollita de mis pagos
negras pestañas
flor de los chañarales
Otros han de alabar
a las donosas de la ciudad
Huarmisita del campo
para tus tardes le quiero dar
esta zambita linda
como tus ojos, ¡santiagueña!
Cuando vas a traer agua
de la represa
endulzas con tu canto
toda la siesta, santiagueña.
Criollita santiagueña,
morena linda
por ti cantan los changos
sus vidalitas, santiagueña.
The lyrics of Hernán Figueroa Reyes's song Criollita Santiagueña describe a beautiful and beloved woman from the countryside of Santiago del Estero, a province in Argentina. The song pays homage to her physical beauty, as represented by her dark lashes and her lovely dark complexion. But there is more to her charm than just her looks. She is a hard-working and talented woman who can sweeten the tedium of fetching water from the reservoir with her singing. This woman is so beloved that even the changos, a term used in the region to describe the local male musicians who perform traditional folk music like the vidalita and the zamba, sing songs in her honor.
There is a certain pride that comes through in Figueroa Reyes's portrayal of the Criollita Santiagueña. While other people may praise the women from the city, the singer extols the virtues of a woman from his own part of the world. The zambita that he dedicates to her is simple, yet heartfelt. The repetition of the phrase "santiagueña" at the end of each stanza ties the woman to her place of origin and emphasizes the singer's connection to both her and his homeland.
Line by Line Meaning
Criollita Santiagueña
This song is about a beautiful, indigenous woman from Santiago del Estero in Argentina.
morena linda
She has beautiful, dark skin.
por ti cantan los changos sus vidalitas, santiagueña.
The local folk singers sing their traditional love songs called vidalitas in your honor, because of your beauty.
Criollita de mis pagos negras pestañas flor de los chañarales en las mañanas, santiagueña.
You are a true Santiago native with long, black eyelashes and as beautiful as wildflowers in the mornings.
Otros han de alabar a las donosas de la ciudad Huarmisita del campo para tus tardes le quiero dar esta zambita linda como tus ojos, ¡santiagueña!
Others may praise the city girls, but I would rather spend my evenings with you, my beautiful country girl, and dance the zambita, a lovely folk dance, that matches the beauty of your eyes.
Cuando vas a traer agua de la represa endulzas con tu canto toda la siesta, santiagueña.
Even when you go to fetch water from the reservoir, your melodic voice brings sweetness to everyone's siesta.
Criollita santiagueña, morena linda por ti cantan los changos sus vidalitas, santiagueña.
Once again, this is a tribute to you, my beautiful indigenous woman from Santiago, who inspires the choruses of vidalitas being sung by local folk musicians.
Writer(s): A. Chazarreta
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.