It’s almost impossible to resist the catchy “ay, ay, ay, ay!” of Cielito Lindo and that is surely its intention as a children’s song. This is one of the most popular Mexican folk songs and the tune will be instantly recognizable to many, even if you have never heard of the title before as the song transcends language barriers with its tuneful melody.
Translating as “Lovely Sweet One”, Cielito Lindo was written in 1882 and its meaning has been interpreted in many different ways. One popular interpretation is that the song is about the 17th-century bandits who roamed the Sierra Morena mountains, and a beautiful woman who was smuggled out from under their eyes.
Over the years, many famous singers have recorded this song including Placido Domingo, Eartha Kitt, and Luciana Pavarotti because it lends itself to being sung in a way that is more professional rather than a song just for children.
Cielito Lindo Lyrics
De la sierra, morena
Cielito lindo vienen bajando
Un par de ojitos negros
Cielito lindo de contrabando
De la sierra, morena
Cielito lindo vienen bajando
Un par de ojitos negros
Cielito lindo de contrabando
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo los corazones
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo los corazones
Ese lunar que tienes, cielito lindo
Junto a la boca, no se lo des a nadie
Cielito lindo que a mi me toca
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo los corazones
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo los corazones
Siempre que te enamores
Mira primero, mira primero
Donde pones los ojos
Cielito lindo, no llores luego
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo los corazones
Cielito Lindo Music Sheet
