The traditional folk song De Colores is sung throughout the Spanish-speaking world. The song is often associated with the Catholic church, but it is also taught as a Spanish song for kids to celebrate spring without specific references to religion.
De Colores is a song that many teachers sing with classes at this time of year. It is a good way to introduce or reinforce spring vocabulary such as la primavera (spring), las flores (flowers), el arco iris (rainbow), los colores (colors), los campos (the fields), los pajaritos (the little birds), el gallo (the rooster), la gallina (the chicken), and los pollitos (the chicks).
I am happy to share this printable wall art with lines from the traditional lyrics to De Colores. Hanging printables like these is one way to help create a print-rich environment. Research has shown that a print-rich environment in classrooms and at home is an essential component of early literacy. It is important for children to recognize print in their surroundings and understand that print carries meaning. This is especially important for children learning Spanish in the United States because most of the print they see in the community is in English.
Children learning Spanish will love this bright art of the familiar song and will learn to recognize the words as they sing along. It is perfect for a bedroom and would also make a pretty addition to a classroom as we celebrate the arrival of spring.
Spanish Song Printables – De Colores
De colores has been recorded by many artists and there are several versions available to download on both Amazon and iTunes. Joan Baez recorded the song, as have many children’s artists like José Luis Orozco and Sarah Barchas. Los lobos also recorded a wonderful version with children in Los Angeles. In addition to the chorus, most of these versions sing the first verse and the verse that begins Canta el gallo. Because the song is traditional, are slight variations. For example, while Los lobos sing pajaritos, Sarah Barchas sings pajarillos. Some versions use pollitos and other polluelos. These differences in the versions are really details. Kids learning Spanish will soon recognize the different diminutives.
These are traditional verses that most children learn:
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.
Coro:
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.
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
Los pollitos
Con el pío, pío, pío, pío, pí.
Coro:
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.
You may also be interested in this post: Spanish Song for Spring – Somos como las flores
