Jonathan Kelley
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Dí Porqué
by Francisco Gabilondo Soler  (1907 - 1990) 

I first heard this poignant song when I started doing the Too Many Tamales Christmas play at Bilingual Foundation for the Arts, in Los Angeles 17 years ago.  They'd play this song in the minutes before curtain time.  Only in this year, 2022, have I learned the song on the piano, plus all the lyrics.   Francisco Gabilondo Soler had an interesting life.  His artistic oeuvre contrasts in a sweetly interesting way with similar genres in the United States.  
Lyrics for Di Porque by Cri Cri

Di ¿por qué?, dime abuelita
Di ¿por qué, eres viejita?
Di ¿por qué, sobre las camas

Ya no te gusta brincar?

Di ¿por qué, usas los lentes?
Di ¿por qué, no tienes dientes?
Di ¿por qué, son tus cabellos
Como la espuma del mar?

Micifuz (Lara-lara, lara-lara, lara-lara)
Siempre está Junto al calor,
igual que tú
​
Di ¿por qué?, frente al ropero
Donde hay tantos retratos
Di ¿por qué, lloras a ratos?
Dime abuelita, ¿por qué?



​
Lyrics for Dí Porqué in English

​Tell me, why? Tell me, grandma.
​
Tell me, why are you so old?

Tell me, why don't you like jumping
on the beds anymore?
 
Tell me, why do you use glasses?
Tell me, why don't you have teeth?
Tell me, why is your hair
just like the sea foam?
 
Miss Cat.....(Lara-lara, lara-lara, lara-lara)
is always near the warmth,
just like you.
 
Tell me, why near the wardrobe
there's so many portraits?
Tell me, why do you cry at times?
Tell me, granny, why?