Cielito Lindo
1882 
Mexico Spanish Nursery Rhyme
Original Lyrics
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.
English Translation
Pretty little darling, they come down,
A pair of little black eyes,
Pretty little darling, smuggled in.
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Sing and don't cry,
Because singing gladdens,
Pretty little darling, our hearts.
Translation Notes
Vocabulary
Cielito Lindo — lovely little sweetheart - Cielo = sky, heaven (also a term of endearment: "sweetheart") - -ito = diminutive suffix ("little") - Lindo = pretty, lovely, beautiful
Sierra Morena — either a mountain range in Spain, or possibly "la Sierra, Morena" (the mountains, dark-haired one)
vienen bajando — come descending, are coming down - Vienen = they come (from venir, "to come") - Bajando = descending (from bajar, "to go down")
un par de ojitos negros — a pair of little dark eyes - Un par = a pair - Ojitos = little eyes (from ojos + diminutive -itos) - Negros = black, dark
de contrabando — like contraband, smuggled, illicitly - Literally "of contraband" - Poetically suggests something forbidden or stolen
ese lunar — that mole/beauty mark - Ese = that (masculine demonstrative) - Lunar = mole, beauty mark (literally "lunar" or moon-like)
junto a la boca — next to the mouth - Junto a = next to, beside - La boca = the mouth
¡Canta y no llores! — Sing and don't cry! - Canta = sing! (imperative of cantar) - Y = and - No llores = don't cry (negative imperative of llorar, "to cry")
cantando — singing (gerund of cantar)
se alegran — become happy, cheer up - Alegrarse = to become happy, to cheer up (reflexive verb) - Se alegran = they become happy
los corazones — the hearts - Corazón = heart
Grammar Notes
Diminutives (-ito/-ita): Spanish uses diminutive suffixes extensively to express affection, smallness, or endearment. In this song: - Cielito from cielo (sky → little sky/sweetheart) - Ojitos from ojos (eyes → little eyes)
Diminutives can also soften commands or requests, making language more affectionate and less harsh. They're particularly common in Mexican Spanish.
Gerund Construction: "Porque cantando se alegran" uses the gerund cantando (singing) to express "by singing" or "while singing." This construction (gerund + verb) is common in Spanish to show how an action is accomplished.
Reflexive Verb: Alegrarse (to become happy/to cheer up) is a reflexive verb, requiring the reflexive pronoun se. "Los corazones se alegran" literally means "the hearts make themselves happy" or "hearts become happy."
Imperative Mood: "Canta y no llores" uses the imperative (command) form. Canta is a positive command (sing!), while no llores is a negative command using the subjunctive form llores rather than the indicative lloras. This is a fundamental rule in Spanish: negative commands use subjunctive forms.
"Vienen bajando": This construction uses the present tense of venir (to come) plus the gerund bajando (descending) to create a progressive sense of ongoing movement: "are coming down" or "come descending."
Terms of Endearment: Using "cielo" (sky/heaven) as a term of endearment is common throughout the Spanish-speaking world, similar to English "honey" or "sweetheart." The poetic imagery—comparing a loved one to the sky or heaven—reflects the elevated, romantic register typical of traditional love songs.
"Junto a": This preposition phrase means "next to" or "beside." The use of junto a (rather than just al lado de) adds a slightly more poetic, intimate register appropriate for a love song.
History and Meaning
"Cielito Lindo" is one of Mexico's most beloved songs, functioning as an unofficial national anthem that resonates far beyond Mexico's borders. Written in 1882 by composer Quirino Mendoza y Cortés, this copla (traditional Spanish folk song) has become an enduring symbol of Mexican identity, resilience, and joy. Its famous refrain—"¡Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores!" (Sing and don't cry!)—captures a philosophy of confronting life's sorrows with song and optimism, a sentiment that has made it a staple at celebrations, sporting events, and gatherings worldwide. While the lyrics curiously reference Spain's Sierra Morena, the song's musical style and cultural significance are unmistakably Mexican, performed by mariachi bands and sung by millions as an expression of national pride and the power of music to overcome sadness.
Origins
"Cielito Lindo" was composed in 1882 by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés (1862-1957), a tal ented musician born in Santiago Tulyehualco, Xochimilco, in Mexico City. Mendoza y Cortés came from a musical family—his father was an organist—and from a young age, Quirino became proficient in multiple instruments, including piano, flute, violin, guitar, and organ. His musical versatility and deep understanding of both European classical traditions and Mexican folk music allowed him to create a song that bridged cultural influences while remaining distinctly Mexican.
Anecdotal accounts suggest that Mendoza y Cortés was inspired to write "Cielito Lindo" by his future wife, Catalina Martínez, whom he reportedly met in the mountains. According to romantic legend, she had a distinctive mole ("lunar") near her mouth, which inspired one of the song's most famous lines: "Ese lunar que tienes, Cielito Lindo, junto a la boca" (That mole you have, lovely sweetheart, next to your mouth). While the historical accuracy of this origin story is difficult to verify, it adds a charming personal dimension to what has become a national treasure.
The song was first commercially recorded in 1920, nearly 40 years after its composition, and has since been covered by countless artists across genres—from traditional mariachi ensembles to international pop stars—and featured in films, commercials, and cultural events worldwide.
Meaning & Interpretation
"Cielito Lindo" is structured as a love song, with the singer addressing their beloved using the affectionate term "Cielito Lindo" (lovely sweetheart). The title itself is rich with meaning: "cielo" literally means "sky" or "heaven" but serves as a common Spanish term of endearment (like "sweetheart" or "honey"); the diminutive suffix "-ito" makes it "little sky" or "sweetie"; and "lindo" means "pretty" or "lovely." Together, the phrase conveys deep affection.
The opening verse contains the song's most intriguing and debated line:
"De la Sierra Morena, Cielito Lindo, vienen bajando / Un par de ojitos negros, Cielito Lindo, de contrabando" (Down from the Sierra Morena, lovely sweetheart, come descending / A pair of dark little eyes, lovely sweetheart, like contraband)
"Sierra Morena" literally refers to a mountain range in southern Spain, which has led to much speculation about the song's origins and meaning. Some scholars suggest that elements of the lyrics may derive from older Spanish coplas that existed before Mendoza y Cortés's composition. However, many Mexicans believe "Sierra Morena" is either a poetic reference or a misinterpretation of "la Sierra, Morena," where "Morena" (meaning "dark-haired" or "brunette") is a direct address to the woman rather than a geographical location. There's also a Sierra de Morones in Zacatecas, Mexico, which some believe could be the intended reference.
The phrase "de contrabando" (like contraband or smuggled goods) poetically suggests that the person's dark eyes are so captivating they feel illicit, forbidden, or stolen—as if their beauty breaks the rules.
The most famous lines form the song's soaring chorus:
"¡Ay, ay, ay, ay! ¡Canta y no llores!" (Ay, ay, ay, ay! Sing and don't cry!)
"Porque cantando se alegran, Cielito Lindo, los corazones" (Because by singing, lovely sweetheart, hearts are made happy)
This refrain has transcended the song itself to become a cultural mantra—an expression of resilience, optimism, and the healing power of music. It encourages responding to sorrow not with tears but with song, embracing joy as an antidote to suffering. This philosophy resonates deeply with Mexican cultural values and has made the refrain instantly recognizable worldwide.
Cultural Significance
"Cielito Lindo" occupies a unique place in Mexican culture as an informal national anthem. While "Himno Nacional Mexicano" is Mexico's official anthem, "Cielito Lindo" is the song Mexicans choose to sing spontaneously at moments of celebration, solidarity, or national pride. It's performed at:
- Sporting events: Mexican fans at World Cup matches famously sing "Cielito Lindo" to cheer on their national team, creating a powerful display of unity
- Birthday celebrations and family gatherings: The song's joyful spirit makes it a staple at personal celebrations
- National holidays: Independence Day and other patriotic occasions
- Mariachi performances: No mariachi repertoire is complete without "Cielito Lindo"
- International events: Mexicans abroad sing it as an expression of connection to their homeland
The song has become so associated with Mexican identity that it's often the first Mexican song non-Mexicans learn, and its refrain is recognized even by those who speak no Spanish.
Beyond Mexico, "Cielito Lindo" has achieved international recognition, covered by artists from diverse musical traditions and featured in films that want to evoke Mexican culture or a sense of joyful resilience. Its universal message—that singing brings happiness to hearts—resonates across cultural boundaries.
Musical Style
"Cielito Lindo" is typically performed in the style of a ranchera or son mexicano, with the distinctive instrumentation of mariachi ensembles:
- Violins providing melodic lines
- Trumpets adding brightness and emotional intensity
- Guitars (including the deep-voiced guitarrón) providing rhythmic and harmonic foundation
- Vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar) adding percussive strumming
The song's structure follows the traditional copla format, with verses alternating with the memorable "Ay, ay, ay, ay" chorus. The melody is constructed to be singable by groups, with a range that allows everyone from children to adults to join in—a crucial feature for a song meant to be performed communally.