The predominantly Spanish influence
asserts itself in the melody and the rhythms are rooted in
the African and traditional styles. Here the child is hopefully
invited to go to sleep early "before the owl comes"; then
in the last verse ironically, at least "before the rooster
crows".
This song uses the notes C-C#-D-D#-E-F#-G-A-Bb
& B, which mixes both sharps and flats. The tonic is
E. You will notice the dissonance of the flattened fifth
(Bb) against the sixth (C#) during the cock crow in seventh
measure of each verse. Fourth in a series of eight tracks.
DUÉRMETE
NIÑO
Duérmete niñ.o.
Duérmete tú.
Antes que venga el currucutú.,
SLEEP
LITTLE ONE
Sleep, little one.
Sleep thou my child.
Before the owl comes, Sleep, little one.
Sleep thou my child.
Before the rooster comes
Cock-a-doodle do!
Duérmete niño.
Duérmete tú..
Antes que vonga el guanaguana qui-qui-ri-qui
