Fieldwork Archive
Adiós Reina del Cielo
Performed by León residents.
Recorded December 7, 2025 in León, Nicaragua (acquisition date: December 12, 2025).
Performed during the gritería celebration. Performed with guitar and tambourine.
Recorded by Claudio Alexander Urbina on behalf of Derek Piotr.
La gritería ("the shout") is a Nicaraguan festival which originated in the early 18th century, held in honor of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, also nicknamed the Purísima.
It is celebrated on the night of December 7th, the eve of the Catholic feast day for the Immaculate Conception.
These celebrations are some of the largest in the country and are celebrated in its various towns and cities.
They hold special significance in the city of León, where they originated.
Devotees walk the streets and visit different altars erected in honor of the Virgin Mary in churches and private homes, offering prayers, singing, and setting off fireworks while shouting pregónes.
The inhabitants of the houses welcome the devotees with a toast, popularly called la gorra (the cap), of candy and other small gifts.
Here, Fieldwork Archivist Claudio Alexander Urbina records a group of León residents caroling "Adiós Reina del Cielo" at the entrance of a private home in the San Felipe neighborhood, finishing off with the pregón "Que viva la Virgen!" ("Long live the Virgin!")
Madre del Salvador.
Adiós, oh Madre mía,
adiós, adiós, adiós.
De tu divino rostro
la belleza al dejar,
permíteme que vuelva
tus plantas a besar.
Al dejarte, oh María,
no acierta el corazón;
te lo entrego, Señora;
dame tu bendición.
Mother of the Savior.
Farewell, oh my Mother,
farewell, farewell, farewell.
Leaving the beauty
of your divine face,
allow me to return
to kiss your feet.
Leaving you, oh Mary,
my heart is at a loss;
I entrust it to you, Lady;
give me your blessing.
