Just as nursery rhymes are great for kids learning their own language, they are also great for learning other languages. This one is called ¿Dónde están las leaves? Where are the keys?
This song/rhyme originated in France, but is popular in most all of the Spanish speaking countries. The “materile, rile, ron chimpón” lines don’t mean anything, they are just catchy to sing! It can also be turned into a game for the kids as they sing.
Here are the lyrics in Spanish:
1. Yo tengo un castillo,
Matarile, rile, rile.
Yo tengo un castillo,
Matarile, rile, ron chimpón.
2. ¿Dónde están las llaves?
Matarile, rile, rile.
¿Dónde están las llaves?
Matarile, rile, ron chimpón.
3. En el fondo del mar,
Matarile, rile, rile.
En el fondo del mar,
Matarile, rile, ron chimpón.
4. ¿Quién irá a buscarlas?
Matarile, rile, rile.
¿Quién irá a buscarlas?
Matarile, rile, ron chimpón.
5. (Que) Irá (nombre de niño/a),
Matarile, rile, rile.
(Que) Irá (nombre de niño/a),
Matarile, rile, ron chimpón.
6. ¿Qué oficio le pondrá?
Matarile, rile,
¿Qué oficio le pondrá?
Matarile, rile, ron chimpón.
7. Le pondremos (oficio, como peluquera),
Matarile, rile, rile.
Le pondremos (oficio, como peluquera),
Matarile, rile, ron chimpón.
8. Este oficio tiene multa,
Matarile, rile, rile.
Este oficio tiene multa,
Matarile, rile, ron chimpón.
Here is. a link to the sheet music for this song:
Here is the English translation of the lyrics:
1. I have a castle,
Matarile, rile, rile
I have a castle,
Matarile, rile, ron, chimpon
2. Where are the keys?
Matarile, rile, rile
Where are the keys?
Matarile, rile, ron, chimpon
3. At the bottom of the sea…
4. Who will look for them?…
5. (Boy or girl’s name) will go…
6. What job will you give him/her?…
7. We’ll make him/her a hairdresser…
8. This job has a penalty fee…
