Arroz con leche

This Hispanic children's song is said to have originated in France in the 14th century. It is featured in children's circle games that teach gender and class roles. The verse this informant sings would be sung by boys in the circle; a second verse not included in this recording would be sung by a girl who picks a boy she likes from the circle.

Arroz con leche, or rice pudding, is a popular dessert in Hispanic countries. This reference is speculated to be an outgrowth of the ancient tradition of throwing rice at weddings as a blessing for fertility and prosperity.

Arroz con leche,
me quiero casar
con una viudita
de la capital
que sepa tejer,
que sepa bordar,
que ponga la aguja
en su mismo lugar.

Contigo sí,
contigo no;
contigo mi niña
me casaré yo.

Porrom pompom,
porrom pompom.
Porrompom pompompom
porrompom pompom.

Rice pudding,
I want to get married
to a little widow
from the capital
who knows how to knit,
who knows how to embroider,
who puts the needle
in the right place.

With you, yes,
with you, no;
with you my little girl
I shall get married.

Porrom pompom,
porrom pompom.
Porrompom pompompom
porrompom pompom.

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