Inside: Teaching the book Tumba chapter 5. Teching the song Cielito Lindo in Spanish class. Teaching Tumba by Mira Canion.
Author – Allison Wienhold
Published – April 3, 2015
We are continuing with Tumba by Mira Canion in Spanish 1. Here are previous posts my first year teaching the novel Tumba.
- Introducing Tumba
- Tumba Chapter 1
- Tumba Chapter 2
- Tumba Chapter 3
- Tumba Chapter 4
- + More updated post Teaching the novel Tumba
Cielito Lindo
This chapter 5 of Tumba includes lyrics from the traditional Mexican song “Cielito Lindo.” It is the perfect time to add some music!
“Cielito lindo” is a Mexican folk song very often played by mariachi bands. It was written in 1882 by the composer Quirino Mendoza y Cortés. It is possible, however, that the song was inspired by very old traditional Spanish songs.
In literary translation “Celito Lindo” means “beautiful little sky” or “beautiful little heaven”. But cielito is also used as an appellation for sweetie or darling. That’s why the common translation for the song is “Lovely Sweet One” or “Pretty Little Darling”
“Cielito lindo” Lyrics
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.
Ese lunar que tienes,
Cielito lindo, junto a la boca,
No se lo des a nadie,
Cielito lindo, que a mí me toca.
(Estribillo)
Pájaro que abandona,
Cielito lindo, su primer nido,
Vuelve y lo halla ocupado
Cielito lindo, bien merecido.
(Estribillo)
Una flecha en el aire,
Cielito lindo, lanzó Cupido,
y como fue jugando,
Cielito lindo, yo fui el herido.
(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)
There are many versions of the song, which use differnt lyrics. But my students favorite is the version by Ana Gabriel.
Cielito Lindo – Ana Gabriel – traditional
NEW MARIACHI NUEVO TECALITLÁN / CIELITO LINDO
Here is a newer version of Cielto Lindo
NEW Angelina Victoria, Alana Flores – Cielito Lindo
Cute Cielito Lindo
There is also this version of adorable little Shaira’s version of the song.
Martina Bex has a great song activity using 3 versions of this song as well.
In addition, chapter 5 is another perfect time for reader’s theater, as it involves the introduction of a love triangle! Students love romantic drama! Ay, ay, ay, ay on the chapter 6!
More Tumba in Spanish Class
- Tumba Chapter 6
- Tumba Chapters 7-8
- Tumba Chapters 9-10
- Teaching the novel Tumba – 1 novel in 1 week style
More Mexico Resources
- Día de Muertos Songs for Spanish class
- The Best Movies to Teach the Day of the Dead
- Cinco de mayo in Spanish class
