Mariachi Lyrics Archive
Cielito Lindo
A beauty mark, a pair of black eyes, and a man counting Sundays — Cielito Lindo has carried Mexico's heart since 1882. Part serenade, part prayer, part national embrace. That chorus never gets old.
About the Song
Cielito Lindo was written by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés and published in 1882, becoming one of the most recognizable Mexican songs in the world. Its origins are rooted in the romantic song traditions of central Mexico, blending Spanish lyrical forms with the warmth and color of Mexican folk culture. The title — meaning pretty little sky or lovely little heaven — became a tender term of endearment woven into the national consciousness. The iconic ay, ay, ay, ay chorus has been sung at celebrations, protests, sporting events, and gatherings across generations, transcending its origins as a simple love song. Mariachi ensembles made it a cornerstone of their repertoire, and it has since been recorded in dozens of languages worldwide. Few songs carry the emotional flag of Mexico the way Cielito Lindo does — it is at once a lullaby, a toast, and a national embrace.
Meaning of the Song
Cielito Lindo arrives the way a Sunday morning does — unhurried, warm, and already yours before you know it. On the surface it is a simple serenade: a man descending from the mountains, eyes fixed on a beauty mark beside a pair of lips, counting the days until Sunday comes again. But listen closer. He invokes the Virgin of Guadalupe — morena, dark-skinned, beloved — to declare that the love of such a woman is the truest love of all. He trembles alongside her. He laughs at falseness. This is not a polished courtship — it is something rawer and realer, sung from the chest. And that chorus, ay, ay, ay, ay — it is not sadness. It is the sound of a heart too full for words, spilling over into melody. Mexico has been singing it for over a century, and the heart still fills.
Watch the Song
Lyrics / Letra
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo los corazones
De la sierra morena
Cielito lindo vienen bajando
Un par de ojitos negros
Cielito lindo de contrabando
Ese lunar que tienes, cielito lindo
Junto a la boca, no se lo des a nadie
Cielito lindo que a mi me toca
De domingo a domingo
Te vengo a ver cuando será domingo
Cielito lindo para volver
Ay, ay, ay, ay, yo bien quisiera
Que todas las semanas cielito lindo
Domingo fuera
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
yo a las morenas quiero
Desde que supe que…
morena es la virgen de Guadalupe
Ay, ay, ay, ay, es bien sabido que
Amor de morena nunca es fingido
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Saca tu butaquito cielito lindo
Velo sacando que si tú tienes miedo
Cielito lindo yo estoy temblando
Saca tu butaquito cielito lindo
Velo sacando que si tú tienes miedo
Cielito lindo yo estoy temblando
Ajá, ajá, ajá, que risa me da
En ver, en ver , en ver tú tirana falsedad
Ajá, ajá, ajá, que risa me da
En ver, en ver , en ver tú tirana falsedad
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo los corazones
De la sierra morena
Cielito lindo vienen bajando
Un par de ojitos negros
Cielito lindo de contrabando
Ese lunar que tienes, cielito lindo
Junto a la boca, no se lo des a nadie
Cielito lindo que a mi me toca
De domingo a domingo
Te vengo a ver cuando será domingo
Cielito lindo para volver
Ay, ay, ay, ay, yo bien quisiera
Que todas las semanas cielito lindo
Domingo fuera
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
yo a las morenas quiero
Desde que supe que…
morena es la virgen de Guadalupe
Ay, ay, ay, ay, es bien sabido que
Amor de morena nunca es fingido
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Saca tu butaquito cielito lindo
Velo sacando que si tú tienes miedo
Cielito lindo yo estoy temblando
Saca tu butaquito cielito lindo
Velo sacando que si tú tienes miedo
Cielito lindo yo estoy temblando
Ajá, ajá, ajá, que risa me da
En ver, en ver , en ver tú tirana falsedad
Ajá, ajá, ajá, que risa me da
En ver, en ver , en ver tú tirana falsedad
English Translation
Ay, ay, ay, ay, sing and don't cry
Because by singing, hearts are gladdened
Cielito Lindo, my pretty little sky
From the dark mountain range
Cielito Lindo, coming down
A pair of little black eyes
Cielito Lindo, smuggled in secret
That beauty mark you have, Cielito Lindo
Right next to your mouth
Don't give it to anyone
Cielito Lindo, for it belongs to me
From Sunday to Sunday
I come to see you, when will Sunday come
Cielito Lindo, so I can return
Ay, ay, ay, ay, how I wish
That every week, Cielito Lindo
Could be Sunday
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
I love dark-skinned women
Ever since I learned that
The Virgin of Guadalupe is morena
Ay, ay, ay, ay, it is well known that
The love of a dark-skinned woman is never false
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Take out your little stool, Cielito Lindo
Go on and bring it out, because if you are frightened
Cielito Lindo, I am trembling too
Take out your little stool, Cielito Lindo
Go on and bring it out, because if you are frightened
Cielito Lindo, I am trembling too
Aha, aha, aha, how it makes me laugh
To see, to see, to see your tyrannical falseness
Aha, aha, aha, how it makes me laugh
To see, to see, to see your tyrannical falseness
Because by singing, hearts are gladdened
Cielito Lindo, my pretty little sky
From the dark mountain range
Cielito Lindo, coming down
A pair of little black eyes
Cielito Lindo, smuggled in secret
That beauty mark you have, Cielito Lindo
Right next to your mouth
Don't give it to anyone
Cielito Lindo, for it belongs to me
From Sunday to Sunday
I come to see you, when will Sunday come
Cielito Lindo, so I can return
Ay, ay, ay, ay, how I wish
That every week, Cielito Lindo
Could be Sunday
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
I love dark-skinned women
Ever since I learned that
The Virgin of Guadalupe is morena
Ay, ay, ay, ay, it is well known that
The love of a dark-skinned woman is never false
Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Take out your little stool, Cielito Lindo
Go on and bring it out, because if you are frightened
Cielito Lindo, I am trembling too
Take out your little stool, Cielito Lindo
Go on and bring it out, because if you are frightened
Cielito Lindo, I am trembling too
Aha, aha, aha, how it makes me laugh
To see, to see, to see your tyrannical falseness
Aha, aha, aha, how it makes me laugh
To see, to see, to see your tyrannical falseness
Meet Mariachi Los Muertos™
Mariachi Los Muertos™ transforms classic mariachi songs into a collection of vivid characters. Each character in the Mariachi Los Muertos™ group has been developed to embody the spirit of traditional Mexican mariachi songs.
Inspired by the titles and themes of beloved songs, these characters bring to life the rich cultural tapestry of Mexico in a colorful and imaginative way.
Meet Cielito Lindo
Birthplace: Ciudad de México, México
Band Position: Violin
Favorite Food: Tacos al pastor
Horoscope: Leo
Band Position: Violin
Favorite Food: Tacos al pastor
Horoscope: Leo
Meet "Cielito Lindo," the charming violinist from Ciudad de México, México! As a Leo, he’s got the confidence and charisma of a true showman, always ready to steal the spotlight with a smile as bright as the sun. His favorite food? Tacos al pastor, because just like his personality, they’re bold, spicy, and full of flavor.
"Cielito Lindo," celebrates beauty, joy, and the sweetness of life, bringing that same uplifting spirit to every performance. With his violin in hand, he can make hearts swoon and spirits soar, all while flashing that signature grin that makes the señoras in the audience blush.
On stage, "Cielito Lindo" is pure energy and elegance, his bow dancing across the strings as he weaves melodies that are as enchanting as the song he’s named after. Off stage, he’s the life of the party, always ready to serenade his friends—or a lucky señorita—with a few bars of his favorite tune. And of course, he never turns down an invitation to enjoy some tacos al pastor after a show.
With his natural charm, dazzling talent, and a personality that’s larger than life, "Cielito Lindo" is the heartthrob of Mariachi Los Muertos. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing “Ay, ay, ay, ay” along with him—his music has a way of bringing out the sunshine in everyone!
"Cielito Lindo," celebrates beauty, joy, and the sweetness of life, bringing that same uplifting spirit to every performance. With his violin in hand, he can make hearts swoon and spirits soar, all while flashing that signature grin that makes the señoras in the audience blush.
On stage, "Cielito Lindo" is pure energy and elegance, his bow dancing across the strings as he weaves melodies that are as enchanting as the song he’s named after. Off stage, he’s the life of the party, always ready to serenade his friends—or a lucky señorita—with a few bars of his favorite tune. And of course, he never turns down an invitation to enjoy some tacos al pastor after a show.
With his natural charm, dazzling talent, and a personality that’s larger than life, "Cielito Lindo" is the heartthrob of Mariachi Los Muertos. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing “Ay, ay, ay, ay” along with him—his music has a way of bringing out the sunshine in everyone!
