De Colores is a traditional Spanish-language folk song that is well-known throughout the Spanish-
speaking world. It is associated with Mexican folklore but it is not known for certain when and where it originated (probably Spain), but it's believed to have been around since the 16th century. By the 20th century it was one of the most well-known Mexican folk songs throughout the world. Perhaps most famously in the U.S., it became the unofficial anthem of the United Farm Workers movement in the 1950s and 1960s. The text celebrates the beauty of diversity as well as unity. Multiple verses are known to exist and the song appears in many music textbooks. You can find wonderful performances on YouTube–this one has all the verses below as well as some additional verses. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWRDu-qwvgA). We had our mariachi director come in to work with us on style. You can find a link to two free versions on our website. There also are many arrangements of it–the SATB one I like is published by Alliance and is arranged by Vicente Chavarria. You can use any combination of verses in any verse, although the first one is usually sung first and the third one below is the other most commonly sung verse. ~Elizabeth Schauer
De colores, de colores In colors the fields clothe themselves in
Se visten los campos en la primavera. Spring. In colors are the little birds that come De colores, de colores from outside. In colors is the rainbow we see Son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera. shine. De colores, de colores Es el arco iris que vemos lucir.
Refrain: Refrain: Y por eso los grandes amores And that is why the great loves of many De muchos colores me gustan a mí. colors are pleasing to me. Y por eso los grandes amores De muchos colores me gustan a mí.
De colores, de colores In colors brilliant and fine the dawn is clothed.
Brillantes y finos se viste la aurora. In colors are the thousand reflections that the De colores, de colores sun treasures. In colors the diamond is Son los mil reflejos que el sol atesora. dressed that we see shine. De colores, de colores Se viste el diamante que vemos lucir.
Refrain Refrain
Canta el gallo, canta el gallo The rooster sings with his "kiri-kiri." Con el quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri. The hen sings with her "kara-kara," La gallina, la gallina The chicks sing with their "pio-pio." Con el cara, cara, cara, cara, cara. Los pollitos/polluelos, los pollitos/polluelos Con el pío, pío, pío, pío, pí.
Refrain Refrain
De colores, sí, de blanco In colors, yes, white and black and red and Y negro y rojo y azul y castaño. blue and brown. All the colors from people Son colores, son colores laughing and shaking hands. All the colors De gente que ríe, y estrecha la mano. from people who know freedom. Son colores, son colores De gente que sabe de la libertad.
