Country: Cuba
Original language: Spanish
“La Colorá ” is a Spanish-language nickname for someone with red hair, though it could also imply a
light composition and fiery personality. In the original version of this song, Madam Maria has a grinder
and must hurry to get it and grind some yuca/cassava, which is an edible starchy plant that mainly
grows in tropical and subtropical areas, to use it for flour or else the yuca will go bad.
The song originated as a “guaracha,” a form of music with bawdy lyrics meant to accompany dances
that blended Spanish and African moves. The guaracha originated in Spain and became a staple of
Cuban theater groups that toured Puerto Rico in the 1800s, which would play clever guaracha songs
between acts of their performances to keep the audience entertained.
*Colorá, Colorá, *Siña Maria, Colorá Colorá,
Colorá, make us some of your cassava
Colorá, Colorá, Siña Maria, Colorá Colorá,
Colorá, make us some of your cassava
*"Colorá" is a red-headed woman.
*"Siña Maria" is Auntie Maria
Book suggestions for this song:
Many thanks to Jay Sand for permission to display these lyrics.
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