Cielito Lindo
Reading Comprehension Activity
Author: Traditional
Presented here in both Spanish and English, this traditional Mexican folk song is considered the unofficial national anthem of that country. Sung by mariachis, major recording stars, and audiences at sporting events worldwide, it is actually a love song. Students will read the lyrics and answer questions on the figurative language and the vocabulary.
Topic(s): History. Skill(s): Context Clues, Figurative Language. Genre(s): Poetry
Click for the passage & questions on one printable PDF.
Spanish
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)
Una flecha en el aire,
cielito lindo, lanzó Cupido,
si la tiró jugando,
cielito lindo, a mí me ha herido.
(Estribillo)
English
From Sierra Morena,
Pretty darling, coming down are
A pair of little black eyes,
Pretty darling, sneaking by.
Refrain:
Aye, aye, aye, aye,
Sing and don’t cry,
Because by singing, hearts get happy,
Pretty darling, the hearts.
A bird that abandons,
Pretty darling, his first nest,
If he later finds it occupied,
Pretty darling, it is well deserved.
(Refrain)
That beauty mark that you have
Pretty darling, next to your mouth,
Don’t give it to anyone,
Pretty darling, for it is mine.
(Refrain)
An arrow in the air
Pretty darling, Cupid launched
If he shot it playing,
Pretty little heaven, he has struck me.
(Refrain)
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