Tomatito became a flamenco sensation at an early age when he was discovered by famed guitarist Paco de Lucía and began working in part with legendary flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla.
In 1979, the trio produced a hit called "La Leyenda del Tiempo." Their partnership continued until Camarón's death in 1992.
A later collaboration included pianist Michel Camilo, producing the albums Spain (2000) and Spain Again (2006).
Tomatito's music is a unique mix of traditional flamenco and jazz. On some albums, such as Barrio Negro, he experimented with Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Music. He has also worked with flamenco singers Duquende and Chano Domiguez among many others.
Tomatito has produced six solo albums and in 2005, won a Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Record, for his album Aguadulce.
En Casa Del Herrero
Tomatito Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
de palo, palo. Que dejo mi
pare, que fue gitano, y
en casa del herrero prima
mia cuchara de palo, ay
que dejo mi pare que fue
gitano.
y no me quieras tanto, ay que
mi corazon se muere y ya me
esta revelando.
Que yo siempre ando
escuchando, que me compre
unas (?) de pelo como lo no
tengo, que yo te doy los de
mi mare.
Y dijo dios, y dijo dios y el que
y el que no tenga pecao tire la
primera piera, tuviste que ser
tu por ser mala compañera
Todas las flores son bonitas, de
pronto llega el invierno, y las
flores se marchitan, que ni las
flores se marchitan
Casa del herrero, cucharon
de palo, palo. Que dejo mi
pare, que fue gitano, y
en casa del herrero prima
mia cuchara de palo, ay
que dejo mi pare que fue
gitano.
Los corazones, estan llorando
no hay pañuelicos, pa' tanto
llanto
Ay caminando yo te vi brillar,
ay caminando yo llegue a la
tierra la verdad, cuando me
sente con el, mi corazon
yo le entregue
Y asomate a la ventana pa
enseñarme los lunares, asomate
a la ventana pa enseñarme los
lunares, tu creias que eran
pintaos y eran mios naturales.
Casa del herrero, cucharon
de palo.Que dejo mi pare
que fue gitano, y
en casa del herrero prima
mia cuchara de palo, ay
que dejo mi pare que fue
gitano.
The lyrics of Tomatito's song "En Casa Del Herrero" centers around love, loss, and acceptance. The title of the song translates to "At the Blacksmith's House" where the singer talks about a wooden spoon that his father, who was a gypsy, left behind at the blacksmith's house. The repetition of "cuchara de palo" or "wooden spoon" throughout the song represents the nostalgia and longing for their past and the people who have left them behind. The singer also talks about his love interest and his fear that their love may not be reciprocated. He sings about how his heart is dying and how he needs some sort of confirmation of her love for him. He also alludes to their differences in social status, as he doesn't have the means to buy her expensive things, but offers her the things he inherited from his mother.
In the next stanza, the singer alludes to the Bible verse John 8:7, where Jesus says "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." The singer mentions throwing a stone, and the idea of not judging others. However, the last line adds a twist where the singer personifies "mala compañera" or "bad companion" as the one who embodies all sins.
The last stanza brings a sense of acceptance to the song. The singer talks about how everything in life is temporary and how even the most beautiful things will eventually wither away, much like flowers in the winter. The song concludes with a return to the central theme of nostalgia, with the repetition of the wooden spoon representing the things that we lose along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Casa del herrero, cucharón de palo, palo.
The blacksmith's house has a spoon made of wood, wood.
Que dejó mi pare que fue gitano, y en casa del herrero prima mía cuchara de palo, ay que dejó mi pare que fue gitano.
My father, who was a gypsy, left a wooden spoon at the blacksmith's house, my dear cousin.
Dime si tú me quieres, y anda y no me quieras tanto, ay que mi corazón se muere y ya me está rebelando.
Tell me if you love me, and don't love me so much, because my heart is dying and it's already rebelling.
Que yo siempre ando escuchando, que me compre unas seemos de pelo como lo no tengo, que yo te doy los de mi mare.
I always hear that I should buy some hairs made of fur to look good, although I don't have them. But I'm willing to give you my mother's hairs.
Y dijo Dios, y dijo Dios y el que y el que no tenga pecao tire la primera piedra, tuviste que ser tú por ser mala compañera.
And God said, 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone'. It had to be you because you're a bad companion.
Todas las flores son bonitas, de pronto llega el invierno, y las flores se marchitan, que ni las flores se marchitan.
All flowers are pretty, but winter comes suddenly and they wither away, never to bloom again.
Casa del herrero, cucharón de palo, palo. Que dejó mi pare que fue gitano, y en casa del herrero prima mía cuchara de palo, ay que dejó mi pare que fue gitano.
The blacksmith's house has a spoon made of wood, wood. My father, who was a gypsy, left a wooden spoon at the blacksmith's house, my dear cousin.
Los corazones están llorando, no hay pañuelicos, pa' tanto llanto. Ay caminando yo te vi brillar, ay caminando yo llegué a la tierra la verdad, cuando me senté con él, mi corazón yo le entregué.
Hearts are crying and there are no handkerchiefs left to dry the tears. I saw you shining while walking, and when I met you, I gave you my heart.
Y asómate a la ventana pa' enseñarme los lunares, asómate a la ventana pa' enseñarme los lunares. Tú creías que eran pintaos y eran míos naturales.
Come to the window and show me your freckles. You thought they were painted, but they are actually natural.
Casa del herrero, cucharón de palo. Que dejó mi pare que fue gitano, y en casa del herrero prima mía cuchara de palo, ay que dejó mi pare que fue gitano.
The blacksmith's house has a spoon made of wood, wood. My father, who was a gypsy, left a wooden spoon at the blacksmith's house, my dear cousin.
Contributed by Caroline W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.