About the song De Colores
"De Colores" could be called the unofficial anthem of the Cursillo movement. The song has its roots in Spanish history because it is a Spanish folk song. In Spanish the song is called "De Colores" (The Colorus), but in Latvian we've translated it as "Krāsu priekā" (The joy of Colours).
The first verse speaks of God's beautiful creation in all its colour and beauty — forests and meadows in the spring full of flowers and birds, and the vibrancy and hope of the rainbow. The rainbow is an ancient Christian symbol, which reminds us about the grace of God and His faithfulness because it is written: "My rainbow I make the clouds, it is the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth" /Gen 9:13 /. Via de Cristo uses the rainbow symbol in spite of the fact that others have stolen it. We do so confidently and without shame because God has given us this magnificent symbol of grace.
The second verse is taken symbolicly: we sing about roosters, hens and chicks. The rooster has many meanings — betrayal, resurrection, the dawn. And some roosters have very colourful tails! The hen is, of course, the giver of life, the guardian from evil, she nutures and provides. Chicks symbolises the helplessness of the children of God who were born in sin and can do nothing without the help of God.
The third verse speaks of our response to the love of God.
There are different legends of how this song is associated with Cursillo movement, but those who were present at the first Cursillo weekend in Spain said that the retreat leaders simply wanted the men to sing. They were looking for a song which everyone knew and wouldn't be overly "religious". The folk song "De Colores" fit the bill perfectly. Although "De Colores" is not a hymn or church song, in it we can hear the hope, victory and joy in Christ. As the years passed the song has become the unofficial anthem of Cursillo. It is often sung at gatherings regardless of where – Spain, America, Sweden, in Latvia or elsewhere. It is usually sung in Spanish. In the Latvian Pilgrim's Guide it is on page number 49. Below is the Latvian translation of "De Colores".
KRĀSU PRIEKĀ — DE COLORES
- Krāsu priekā! Krāsu priekā gan pļavas, gan meži, kad ziedonis atnāk!
Krāsu priekā! Krāsu priekā pat putni sev piemēro apģērbu košu.
Krāsu priekā! Krāsu priekā, lūk, dardedze zilajās debesīs zied.
Piedziedājums:
Krāsu priekā visspožāk lai atblāzmo mīla un sirdij liek raudāt un smiet!
Krāsu priekā visspožāk lai atblāzmo mīla un sirdij liek raudāt un smiet! - Lai dzied gailis! Lai dzied gailis, lai dzied: kiri, kiri, kiri, kiri, kiri!
Lai sauc vista! Lai sauc vista, lai sauc: kara, kara, kara, kara, kara!
Lai čiepst cāļi! Lai čiepst cāļi, lai čiepst: pio, pio, pio, pio, pī! - Krāsu priekā! Krāsu priekā mēs ieraugām sauli, kad aususi diena.
Krāsu priekā! Krāsu priekā tā dāvā mums dzīvības gaismu no Dieva.
Krāsu priekā, krāsu priekā mirdz dimants, kad saules stars apspīd to dzīvs. - Canta el gallo! Canta el gallo con el quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri!
La gallina! La gallina con el cara, cara, cara, cara, cara!
Los polluelos! Los polluelos con el pío, pío, pío, pío, pí.
Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí.
Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí. OLĒ!
Many thanks to Māra Zviedre (LV 8) for the Latvian translation and Marats Samauskis (LV 9) for the arrangment!
Tags: About Via de Cristo, Forth Day
