The words “aserrín, aserrán” imitate the rhythmic action of pulling back and forth on a large two-person saw. In pairs, children face each other holding hands, while they pull back and forth to the beat.
Optional: picture of sawyers (two people sawing wood)
Optional: Hand signs for So and Mi
Instructions
This is a traditional Spanish-American folk song. It likely refers to the colonial-era shipyards of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The opening words aserrin, aserran imitate the rhythmic action of two sawyers pulling back and forth on a large two-man saw.
Each sawyer asks for something (often nonsensical) that rhymes with his name: Juan with pan, Pedro with queso, Roque with alfandoque, and Enrique with alfenique.
Sung at home, an adult will rock a child back and forth to the steady beat of the saw, then tickle on the final words triqui-tran to make the child laugh.
Translation: Sawdust, sawduster, the sawyers of San Juan*, John's sawyers ask for bread, Peter's ask for cheese, Roque's ask for alfandoque, Henry's ask for alfenique**, The ones on top saw well, the ones on the bottom saw badly, triqui, triqui, triqui, triqui, triqui, triqui, tran ***.
*Each group's request rhymes with their group's leader name.
**Thin strips of sugar candy.
***Onomatopoeia for "sawing."
As you listen to the song, keep the steady beat with a partner. Sit, facing your partner, and hold hands as you rock back and forth like you are sawing a log.
Echo-sing the words one phrase at a time. This song uses a high tone and a low tone. Touch your head while singing the high notes and touch your shoulders while singing the low notes.
Try singing the song using So and Mi. While singing, clap So and pat Mi. When confident, switch to the hand signs for So and Mi.
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