Cielito Lindo

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"Cielito Lindo" is a popular traditional song of Mexico, written in 1882 by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés (c. 1859 - 1957). ^[1] The melody was used as the basis for a popular song, "You, Me, and Us," which became a hit for Alma Cogan in the United Kingdom in 1957.

1 Interpretation
2 Lyrics
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Interpretation

According to his biography, Quirino Mendoza y Cortés was inspired by a girl he met on a trip into the mountains who had a beauty mark. He wrote the music and all but the opening verse which was, except for small changes, lifted from a much earlier song from Spain.^[2]

Because ladies' hairstyles at the time were long tresses often folded atop the head and held together with pins and a comb, Sierra Morena is interpreted as the girl's hair rather than the mountain range in Spain. Viewed in this light, the first verse sets the tone for a young man's teasing love song. Also, the Spanish word morena refers to a person's hair and skin color, furthering this interpretation.

The song's title is a poetic term meant to fit the music, rather than a commonly used expression. In English it literally means "beautiful bit of heaven"; so, "heavenly one" is a good equivalent. The word cielo (meaning "heaven" or "sky"), by itself, is a common term of endearment for Spanish-speakers, similar to the English "dear" or "honey". With the added diminutive suffix -ito, it shows a certain affection and is, as an example, the equivalent of "sweetie" for "sweetheart".

[edit] Lyrics

Spanish

English Translation

De la Sierra Morena,
Cielito lindo, vienen bajando,
Un par de ojitos negros,
Cielito lindo, de contrabando.

Estribillo:
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
Cielito lindo, los corazones.

Pájaro que abandona,
Cielito lindo, su primer nido,
Si lo encuentra ocupado,
Cielito lindo, bien merecido.

(Estribillo)

Ese lunar que tienes,
Cielito lindo, junto a la boca,
No se lo des a nadie,
Cielito lindo, que a mí me toca.

(Estribillo)

Si tu boquita morena,
Fuera de azúcar, fuera de azúcar,
Yo me lo pasaría,
Cielito lindo, chupa que chupa.

(Estribillo)

De tu casa a la mía,
Cielito lindo, no hay más que un paso,
Antes que venga tu madre,
Cielito lindo, dame un abrazo.

(Estribillo)

Una flecha en el aire,
Cielito lindo, lanzó Cupido,
Una flecha en el aire,
Cielito lindo, que a mí me ha herido.

(Estribillo)

Through mounds of hair,
heavenly one, a dark pair of eyes
(that could steal a man's heart)
lower as they approach.

Refrain:
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
sing and don't cry,
for hearts are happy, heavenly one,
when singing.

If a bird abandons his nest,
heavenly one,
then finds it occupied by another,
that first bird got what he deserved.

(Refrain)

Don't give away that beauty mark
that you have next to your mouth,
heavenly one, to just anybody.
Share all your beauty with me.

(Refrain)

If your sweet mouth
were made of sugar,
I would spend my time, heavenly one,
on a sugar high.

(Refrain)

Your house is only steps away from mine,
heavenly one.
So before your mother shows up,
give me a hug.

(Refrain)

Cupid shot an arrow
into the air,
heavenly one,
and that arrow struck me.

(Refrain)