Sombreros et mantilles
Rina Ketty Lyrics

The lyrics to Rina Ketty's song "Sombreros et mantilles" are a nostalgic remembrance of the singer's time spent in Spain, specifically in Andalusia, the birthplace of poetry and love. The first stanza describes the singer's memories of the grand sombreros and mantillas (hats and veils worn by women) and the music of the fandangos and seguidillas (types of Spanish dance and song) sung by the dark-haired senoritas (women) on the plaza under the silver light of the moon. The second stanza recalls the serenade given under the towers of Seville and Granada, two of the most romantic and historic cities of Andalusia.

The third stanza is introspective, as the singer reflects on leaving the land of the guitar and how the memories of Spain still resonate in their soul. The singer is transported back to Spain in their dreams, hearing a song that seems to come from there. The final stanza repeats the memories of the grand sombreros, mantillas, fandangos, seguidillas, and the performances of "Carmen" and "Figaro," indicating a deep longing for the nostalgic and romantic memories of Spain.

The song expresses the stereotypical and nostalgic image of Spain in the eyes of the French audience during the period of the song's creation in the 1930s. The song was a commercial success and became a hit in France and other countries, including Germany, Italy, and Poland. The song was covered by many artists, including Dalida and Edith Piaf. Interestingly, the song was not originally written by Rina Ketty but was composed by a Spanish composer named Quintero, León, and Quiroga.