De Colores (Of Colors)

This is a traditional Spanish folk-song that dates back to the 16th century, at least. It was adopted as the theme song of the Catholic Cursillo movement and is used during rallies / marches by the United Farm Workers union.

The tune was taken from Spain to America during the colonial period.

The version of the lyrics commonly used today is attributed to un-named participants in a Cursillo retreat in Spain in the 1940s - no one person or organisation can claim copyright over them, so it is generally treated as being in the public domain.

Downloads

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PowerPoint slides

3-part choir + piano, arranged by Mark Weston, has English + Spanish lyrics, pronunciation and translation guide.

Examples

Professional recording - folk singer with band:

Professional recording, Spanish band:

Singer with guitar:

Lyrics

De colores, de colores
Se visten los campos en la primavera.
De colores, de colores
Son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera.
De colores, de colores
Es el arco iris que vemos lucir.

Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.
Y por eso los grandes amores De muchos colores me gustan a mí.

De colores, de colores
Brillantes y finos se viste la aurora.
De colores, de colores
Son los mil reflejos que el sol atesora.
De colores, de colores
Se viste el diamante que vemos lucir.

Canta el gallo, canta el gallo
Con el quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri.
La gallina, la gallina
Con el cara, cara, cara, cara, cara.
Los pollitos/polluelos, los pollitos/polluelos
Con el pío, pío, pío, pío, pí.

Jubilosos, jubilosos
Vivamos en gracia puesto que se puede.
Saciaremos, saciaremos
La sed ardorosa del Rey que no muere.
Jubilosos, jubilosos
Llevemos a Cristo un alma y mil más.

Difundiendo la luz que ilumina
La gracia divina del gran ideal.
Difundiendo la luz que ilumina
La gracia divina del gran ideal.