La Cucaracha

Lore & Background

The song consists of verse-and-refrain pairs, each half of four lines with an ABCB rhyme scheme. The earliest lyrics, from which the name derives, concern a cockroach that has lost two of its six legs and struggles to walk with the remaining four. The refrain's lyrics are: 'La cucaracha, la cucaracha / ya no puede caminar / porque no tiene, porque le faltan / las dos patitas de atrás.' Many later versions extend the last syllable of each line to fit a 6/4 meter, but almost all modern versions use a 4/4 meter with a clave rhythm.

The origins of 'La Cucaracha' are obscure; the refrain makes no explicit reference to historical events, making it difficult to date. However, because verses are improvised according to the needs of the time and mention contemporary social or political conditions, a rough estimate of their age can be made. Pre-Revolution lyrics exist referring to the Hispano-Moroccan War (1859–1860), the Carlist Wars (1833–1876) in Spain, and the French intervention in Mexico (1861). The Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) saw the first major period of verse production, with both rebel and government forces inventing political lyrics.

During the Mexican Revolution, political symbolism was common. One well-known Villist anti-Huerta stanza uses the cockroach to represent President Victoriano Huerta, a notorious drunk considered a villain and traitor. Competing versions existed, including Huertist anti-Carranza stanzas and Zapatist stanzas. The song was also used to refer to women soldiers and camp followers, nicknamed 'cucarachas.' In Porfirio Diaz's army, soldiers sang about a soldadera who wanted money for bullfights; for the Villistas, 'La cucaracha' wanted money for alcohol and marijuana.

Reader's Guide

La Cucaracha's significance lies in its adaptability as a vehicle for political and social commentary, particularly during the Mexican Revolution. Its simple, memorable melody allowed both rebel and government forces to create verses reflecting their perspectives, making it a living document of the conflict. The song's refrain, about a cockroach unable to walk, became a metaphor for political figures and conditions. The song's evolution from Spanish origins to a Mexican revolutionary anthem illustrates how folk music can absorb and reflect historical events. Its influence extends beyond Mexico; for example, the tune is described as a blend of 'La Cucaracha' and 'Oh My Darling, Clementine' in George Orwell's novel Animal Farm. The song's enduring popularity is due to its open structure, allowing continuous creation of new verses, and its ability to convey satire and protest in an accessible form.

Did You Know?

• The earliest written reference to the song appears in an 1883 Mexican publication or a 19th-century Spanish theatrical work.
• During the Mexican Revolution, the cockroach in the song was used to represent President Victoriano Huerta, a notorious drunk considered a villain and traitor.
• In George Orwell's novel Animal Farm, the tune 'Beasts of England' is described as a blend of 'La Cucaracha' and 'Oh My Darling, Clementine', not the melody of 'La Cucaracha' itself.
• Soldiers in Porfirio Diaz's army sang 'La Cucaracha' about a soldadera who wanted money to go to the bullfights.