Cielito Lindo
Encyclopedia
"Cielito lindo" is a popular Ranchera
song from Mexico
, written in 1882 by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés (c. 1859–1957). 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" can thus 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 or in English and other languages using the melody of the song. 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
.
In the article "¡Hasta que me cayó el veinte!"http://www.elporvenir.com.mx/notas.asp?nota_id=35816 Mr. Ortega Morán discusses the origins of the first verse of this song. His research discovered that in the early 17th century, armed bandits took refuge in the Sierra Morena mountains of Spain and that people feared for their lives when they had to travel through the region. The words of the first verse of "Cielito Lindo" were found in a song from that era, hinting at that fear. But with time the meaning of the verse changed as people began romanticizing it. "Your face is the Sierra Morena. Your eyes are thieves who live there." The verse had other melodies put to it and variations on the lyrics. Mr. Quirino Mendoza, the composer, adapted the verse to his own melody and gave us the song we know today.
English-language adaptations
lyrics
Other languages
in Mexico. This song distinctly different from the common version above has been played by many Conjunto huasteco
s, as it is considered one of the most popular Son Huasteco
or Huapango
songs.
Sometimes mariachi
bands perform both versions of the "Cielito Lindo" and "Cielito lindo huasteco" which are completely different, thus creating some confusion about both.
Ranchera
Ranchera is a genre of the traditional music of Mexico originally sung by only one performer with a guitar. It dates to the years of the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century. It later became closely associated with the mariachi groups which evolved in Jalisco. Ranchera today is also played...
song from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, written in 1882 by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés (c. 1859–1957). 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" can thus 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
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
bands, it has been recorded by many artists in the original Spanish or in English and other languages using the melody of the song. 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
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
.
Lyrics
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 | literal English Translation | metaphoric English Translation |
|---|---|---|
De la Sierra Morena Sierra Morena The Sierra Morena is one of the main systems of mountain ranges in Spain.It stretches for 400 kilometres East-West across southern Spain, forming the southern border of the Meseta Central plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, and providing the watershed between the valleys of the Guadiana to the... , 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 mountains, 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 Cupid In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god Mars. His Greek counterpart is Eros... 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 Cupid In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god Mars. His Greek counterpart is Eros... shot off an arrow, heavenly one, And though he was playing, I was wounded. (Refrain) |
In the article "¡Hasta que me cayó el veinte!"http://www.elporvenir.com.mx/notas.asp?nota_id=35816 Mr. Ortega Morán discusses the origins of the first verse of this song. His research discovered that in the early 17th century, armed bandits took refuge in the Sierra Morena mountains of Spain and that people feared for their lives when they had to travel through the region. The words of the first verse of "Cielito Lindo" were found in a song from that era, hinting at that fear. But with time the meaning of the verse changed as people began romanticizing it. "Your face is the Sierra Morena. Your eyes are thieves who live there." The verse had other melodies put to it and variations on the lyrics. Mr. Quirino Mendoza, the composer, adapted the verse to his own melody and gave us the song we know today.
Versions
The song has been subject to many versions:- Pedro InfantePedro InfanteJosé Pedro Infante Cruz , better known as Pedro Infante, is the most famous actor and singer of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and is an idol of the Latinamerican people, together with Jorge Negrete and Javier Solís, who were styled the Tres Gallos Mexicanos . He was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa,...
sang it in the 1947 Mexican film Los tres GarcíaLos tres GarcíaLos tres García is a 1947 Mexican film. It stars Carlos Orellana.-Cast:*Pedro Infante as Luis Antonio García*Sara García as Grandma Luisa García*Marga López as Lupita Smith García*Abel Salazar as José Luis García...
. He also had the lead role in the film - In 1963, Trini LopezTrini LopezTrini Lopez is an American singer, guitarist and actor.-Career:Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby...
released a very famous Spanish version of the song - Other Spanish versions include: Irma Vila y su Mariachi, Los LobosLos LobosLos Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The...
, and Placido DomingoPlácido DomingoPlácido Domingo KBE , born José Plácido Domingo Embil, is a Spanish tenor and conductor known for his versatile and strong voice, possessing a ringing and dramatic tone throughout its range...
alongside Luciano PavarottiLuciano Pavarottiright|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
and José CarrerasJosé CarrerasJosep Maria Carreras i Coll , better known as José Carreras , is a Spanish Catalan tenor particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini...
. In 2006 it was recorded by Ana GabrielAna GabrielAna Gabriel is a Mexican singer and composer.Ana Gabriel was born as María Guadalupe Araujo Yong, in Santiago de Comanito, Sinaloa, Mexico. She first sang on the stage at age six, singing "Regalo A Dios" by José Alfredo Jiménez. She moved to Tijuana, Baja California and studied accounting...
. - There are instrumental versions as well most notably by MantovaniMantovaniAnnunzio Paolo Mantovani known as Mantovani, was an Anglo-Italian conductor and light orchestra-styled entertainer with a cascading strings musical signature. The book British Hit Singles & Albums states that he was "Britain's most successful album act before The Beatles .....
English-language adaptations
- "You, Me, and UsYou, Me, and Us"You, Me, and Us" is a popular song published in 1956, with music based on the Mexican traditional folk song, "Cielito Lindo." The song is credited to John Jerome for both words and music, but undoubtedly only the lyrics were actually his creation....
": The melody of Cielito Lindo was used as the basis for a popular English-languageEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
song, "You, Me, and UsYou, Me, and Us"You, Me, and Us" is a popular song published in 1956, with music based on the Mexican traditional folk song, "Cielito Lindo." The song is credited to John Jerome for both words and music, but undoubtedly only the lyrics were actually his creation....
". The song was published in 1956, with lyrics by John Jerome. It became a hit for Alma CoganAlma CoganAlma Cogan was an English singer of traditional pop music in the 1950s and early 1960s. Dubbed "The Girl With the Laugh/Giggle/Chuckle In Her Voice", she was the highest paid British female entertainer of her era...
in the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 19571957 in music-Events:*January 5 – Renato Carosone and his band start their American tour in Cuba.*January 6 – Elvis Presley makes his final appearance on the The Ed Sullivan Show.*January 16 – The Cavern Club opens in Liverpool, UK....
. - "Heavenly NightHeavenly Night"Heavenly Night" is a popular song, with music based on the Mexican traditional folk song, "Cielito Lindo". Melody of the song was adapted by Sebastian Yradier and Neil Wilson to create "Heavenly Night".It was recorded by Bing Crosby and many others as well....
": The melody of the song was also adapted by Sebastian Yradier and Neil Wilson to create another English-language song, "Heavenly Night," recorded by Bing CrosbyBing CrosbyHarry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
and many others. - "We Like 2 Party": The song "We Like 2 Party" by the Belgian band SwoopSwoop (Belgian band)Swoop is a Belgian party band, with Filip D'haeze as lead singer. It was formed in 2001 and continued until 2006. Additional members included Iris Maschelein, Kim Gyselinck, Nathalie Taling. They were signed to RELI Records and starting 2005 ARS Entertainment.The band was revived in 2010 after 4...
uses the melody with changed English
lyrics
Football Chant
The chorus of this song has been adopted by the celtic support to celibrate their star player emilio izagguire, it goes ; Emilio, emilio izagguire, where ever he goes he fears no foe cause he's emilio.- "Richard Allen George...No, It's Just Cheez": The song "Richard Allen George...No, It's Just Cheez" by Less Than JakeLess Than JakeLess Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge, heavy metal, alternative...
ends with a sing-along about mustaches, to the melody of "Cielito Lindo."
Other languages
- Iranian singer Mohsen NamjooMohsen NamjooMohsen Namjoo, , is an Iranian musician, singer-songwriter. born in 1976 in Torbat-e Jam, a small town in northeastern Iran. The New York Times called Namjoo "Iran's Bob Dylan".-Career:...
included it in his third album OyOy (album)-Track listing:# "Hammash" - 5:16# "Shams" - 5:51# "Dela Didi" - 7:41# "Qashqai" - 5:55# "Binazir" - 8:00# "Khan Baji" - 7:44# "Cielito Lindo" - 7:36# "Gladiators " - 8:18-Quran sura singing controversy:...
. His version features Golshifteh FarahaniGolshifteh FarahaniGolshifteh Farahani is a Crystal-Simorgh winning Iranian actress and pianist.- Early life :Golshifteh Farahani was born on 10 July 1983 in Tehran, the daughter of actor/theater director Behzad Farahani and his spouse, Fahime Rahiminia and sister of actress Shaghayegh Farahani. She started studying...
as co-singer. Within the song, he included some poems by Shamloo and Molana.
Cielito lindo huasteco
"Cielito Lindo" should not be confused with another popular and traditional song called "Cielito lindo huasteco" also known as "Cielito lindo" from La HuastecaLa Huasteca
La Huasteca is the first climbing area in Monterrey, Mexico, only 15 minutes from the city. With nearly 200 bolted routes with grades from 5.8 to 5.13C, it is the favorite place for weekend climbers. It is also known for the slippery type of limestone from which it is comprised, and which makes...
in Mexico. This song distinctly different from the common version above has been played by many Conjunto huasteco
Conjunto huasteco
A conjunto huasteco is a type of Mexican folk ensemble. Often it consists of guitarra huapanguera, jarana huasteca and violin, but can also have other violins and guitars.Its repertory covers sones huastecos in 3/4 and 6/8, and rancheras....
s, as it is considered one of the most popular Son Huasteco
Son Huasteco
Son Huasteco is one of 8 Mexican son styles and is a traditional Mexican musical style originating in the 6 state area of Northeastern Mexico called La Huasteca. It dates back to the end of the 19th century and is influenced by Spanish and indigenous cultures...
or Huapango
Huapango
Huapango is a corruption of the Nahuatl word huapanco that textually means on top of the wood platform according to the dictionary of the Real Academia Española . Today huapango refers to a musical style that originated in and is played throughout the La Huasteca region in Mexico...
songs.
Sometimes mariachi
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
bands perform both versions of the "Cielito Lindo" and "Cielito lindo huasteco" which are completely different, thus creating some confusion about both.