Estaba la blanca paloma
This is a circle game and an action song. The first part of the song, everyone goes around in a circle. The second part, two kids in the middle of the circle do specific actions.
Estaba la blanca paloma
The White Dove
Juego en círculo
Circle Game
(Spanish)
(English)
Estaba la blanca paloma,
sentada en un verde limón,
con el pico cortaba la rama,
con la rama tocaba la flor.
Ay, ay, ay, ¿cuándo vendrá mi amor?
Me arrodillo a los pies de mi amante,
me levanto constante, constante.
Dame una mano, dame la otra,
dame un besito, sobre tu boca.
Daré la media vuelta, daré la vuelta entera,
Daré un pasito atrás, haciendo la reverencia
Pero no, pero no, pero no,
porque me da vergüenza.
Pero sí, pero sí, pero sí,
porque te quiero a ti.
The white dove
Was sitting on a green lemon tree,
With its beak it cut off the branch,
With the branch it touched the flower.
Alas, alas, alas, when will my love come?
I kneel down at my love's feet,
I get up with a constant heart,
Give me a hand, give me the other,
Give me a kiss on your mouth
I'll do a U- turn, I'll do a full turn
I'll take a step backward bowing down,
But no, but no, but no,
Because it shames me,
But yes, but yes, but yes,
Because I love YOU.
Notes
Another version of this song starts with, "Estaba la pájara pinta" (There was a spotted bird). Some authors think this song goes back as early as the 17th Century because of an allusion to a pink female bird (pájara pinta) in an Alonso de Ledesma's book (1562-1623).
Game Instructions
The children walk in a circle while holding hands. One child goes in the middle - that kid is the "white dove". The children in the circle and the kid in the middle walk around while singing. Everyone stops at the end of the 5th line ("Cuándo vendrá mi amor").
On the 6th line, "Me arrodillo al pie de mi amante", the "white dove" kneels in front of anyone she chooses, then both of them do what the rest of the lyrics of the song suggest.
On the last line ("porque te quiero a ti"), they hold hands, make a U-turn so that the "white dove" goes back in the circle and the "chosen one" becomes the new "white dove". Then the game starts all over again
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Oscar Téliz for pointing out this song to us. Translated by Tatie Monique and Mama Lisa.
¡Muchas gracias!
