"Cielito Lindo" is a popular Ranchera song from Mexico, written in 1882 by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés (c.
1859–1957).[1] It is roughly translated as
"Lovely Sweet One". Although the word "cielo" means sky or
heaven, it is also a term of endearment comparable to sweetheart or honey.
"Cielito", the diminutive, can be translated as "sweetie";
"lindo" means cute, lovely or pretty. Sometimes the song is known by
words from the refrain, "Canta y no llores".
Commonly played
by mariachi bands, it has been recorded by many
artists in the original Spanish as well as in English and other languages. In
recent decades it has come to be widely known as a theme song for Mexicans,
particularly at international events, like the FIFA World Cup.
Lyrics vary
widely from performer to performer and every singer is free to add some new
verse to his or her own interpretation. Some of the most traditional lyrics are
the following:
Spanish
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Literal
English translation
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Metaphoric
English translation
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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, y como fue jugando, Cielito lindo, yo fui el herido. (Estribillo) |
From the Sierra Morena,
Pretty darling, they come down, a pair of black eyes, Pretty little heaven, which are contraband. Refrain: Ay, ay, ay, ay, sing and don't cry, because singing gladdens, Pretty little heaven, the hearts. Bird that abandons, pretty darling, his first nest, if he finds it occupied, Pretty little heaven, is well deserved. (Refrain)
That mole you have
pretty darling, next to your mouth, don't give it to anyone, Pretty little heaven, for it belongs to me. (Refrain)
If your little mouth, dark one,
were made of sugar, were made of sugar I would spend my time, Pretty little heaven, sucking(x2) (Refrain)
From your house to mine
pretty darling, there is no more than a step. Before your mother comes, Pretty little heaven, give me a hug. (Refrain)
An arrow in the air
pretty sweetheart, Cupid launched playing he shot it towards me, Pretty little heaven, and I've been wounded. (Refrain) |
Through dark tresses, heavenly
one,
a pair of deep brown eyes, lower as they approach, a stolen glance. Refrain: Ay, ay, ay, ay, sing and don't cry, heavenly one, for singing gladdens hearts. A bird that abandons his first nest, heavenly one, then finds it occupied by another, deserves to lose it. (Refrain)
That beauty mark you have
next to your mouth, heavenly one, don't share with anyone but me who appreciates it. (Refrain)
If your little mouth, my dark
girl,
were made of sugar, I would spend my time enjoying its sweetness. (Refrain)
From your house to mine
there is no more than a step. Before your mother comes, heavenly one, give me a hug. (Refrain)
Cupid shot off an arrow,
heavenly one, And though he was playing, I was wounded. (Refrain) |
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