Cielito Lindo
Quirino Mendoze y Cortes Lyrics
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No se lo des a nadie, Cielito Lindo, que a mi me toca,
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
Cielito Lindo, los corazones.
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
De la Sierra Morena vienen bajando,
Un par de ojitos negros, Cielito Lindo, de contrabando
Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, vienen bajando
Un par de ojitos negros, Cielito Lindo, de contrabando
A las morenas quiero desde que supe que
Morena es la Virgen de Guadalupe ay, ay, ay,
Es bien sabido que amor de morena nunca es fingido
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
Cielito Lindo, los corazones.
The lyrics to Quirino Mendoze y Cortes's song Cielito Lindo paint a picture of a beautiful woman with a mole near her mouth. The singer urges her to keep this mark to herself as it is something that only he can appreciate. He then sings about how singing can lift one's spirits, and the melodies of the famous Mexican song can make even the saddest heart feel a little bit better. The song continues to describe "two black eyes" that are sneaking down from the Sierra Morena region in Spain, hinting at some type of forbidden love. The singer then expresses his admiration for darker-skinned women, mentioning the Virgin of Guadalupe, which is an important figure in Mexican Catholicism. He finishes by reiterating the notion that singing can lift one's soul and fill it with joy.
This song has become an iconic representation of Mexican culture and identity. The song's uplifting melodies and passionate lyrics have contributed to its immense popularity not only in Mexico but also in other regions such as the United States and Spain. It is common to hear this song being played at Mexican celebrations and festivities such as weddings, birthdays, and quinceañeras. Even beyond the realm of festive occasions, the song's message of the power of music to bring people together can resonate with anyone who has felt the healing effects of a beautiful song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ese lunar que tienes, Cielito Lindo, junto a la boca,
That beauty mark you have, Cielito Lindo, next to your mouth, keep it only for me, Cielito Lindo.
No se lo des a nadie, Cielito Lindo, que a mi me toca,
Don't show it to anyone else, Cielito Lindo, because it belongs to me, Cielito Lindo.
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores,
Oh, oh, oh, oh, sing and don't cry,
Porque cantando se alegran, Cielito Lindo, los corazones.
Because singing makes the hearts happy, Cielito Lindo.
De la Sierra Morena vienen bajando,
From the Sierra Morena they come down,
Un par de ojitos negros, Cielito Lindo, de contrabando
A pair of black eyes, Cielito Lindo, sneaking down,
Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, vienen bajando
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, they're coming down,
Un par de ojitos negros, Cielito Lindo, de contrabando
A pair of black eyes, Cielito Lindo, sneaking down,
A las morenas quiero desde que supe que
I've loved brunettes since I found out that
Morena es la Virgen de Guadalupe ay, ay, ay,
The Virgin of Guadalupe is a brunette, oh, oh, oh,
Es bien sabido que amor de morena nunca es fingido
It is well known that the love of a brunette is never fake,
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores,
Oh, oh, oh, oh, sing and don't cry,
Porque cantando se alegran, Cielito Lindo, los corazones.
Because singing makes the hearts happy, Cielito Lindo.
Contributed by Charlotte B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.