"De colores" ([Made] of Colors) is a traditional Spanish language folk song that is well known throughout the Spanish-speaking world. It is widely used as a song in the Roman Catholic Cursillo movement and related communities such as the Great Banquet, Chrysalis Flight, Tres Dias, Walk to Emmaus, and Kairos Prison Ministry . It is also associated with the United Farm Workers union, as one of the most commonly heard songs sung during rallies.
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History and origins of the song
The song is associated with Mexican folklore, but it is not known for certain when and where the song originated. It is believed to have been in circulation throughout the Americas since the 16th century, with melodies being brought over from Spain during the colonial era. Some versions of the lyrics sung today are widely understood to have been created by a group of Cursillo participants in Majorca, Spain, after one of the earliest Cursillo retreats in the 1940s.
Today, in addition to being used as the unofficial anthem of the Farm Worker Movement and as an inspirational song in Cursillo workshops, the song is often taught in schools in the United States—from elementary school to community colleges—as an example of a common Mexican folk song. It frequently appears in collections of children's songs.
Common song words
De colores is typically sung in Spanish, but there are different English translations of the song in circulation, and the song has been translated into other languages. The lyrics depict an expression of joy and a celebration of all creation with its many bright colors. Below are four of the most commonly heard verses. Many additional verses (and variations of these verses) are known to exist, some including Christian references and some including more specific to farm life or labor union issues to be used as a rallying-song for farm-laborers.
Recordings
De colores has been recorded by many different artists, including Los Lobos, Joan Baez, Raffi, Nana Mouskouri, Tish Hinojosa, Arlo Guthrie, José-Luis Orozco, Lucky Diaz, Justo Lamas, Baldemar Velasquez, Tara Strong, Rachael Cantu, Pete Seeger, and Tao Rodríguez-Seeger; and has been referenced in the Flobots song "Handlebars".