Un elefante se balanceaba
The first English translation below was done to be singable to the tune. Below that, you'll find a literal translation...
Un elefante se balanceaba
A Balancing Elephant
Canción infantil
Children's Song
(Spanish)
(English)
Un elefante se balanceaba
sobre la tela de una araña,
como veía que resistía
fue a llamar a otro elefante.
Dos elefantes se balanceaban,
sobre la tela de una araña,
como veían que resistía
fueron a llamar a otro elefante.
Tres elefantes...
Cuatro elefantes...
etc....
An elephant stood on the web of a spider,
She felt it was strong, it couldn't be tighter.
Along came her friend, she called to invite her.
Two elephants stood on the web of a spider.
Two elephants stood on the web of a spider,
They felt it was strong, it couldn't be tighter.
Along came their friend, they called to invite her.
Three elephants stood on the web of a spider.
Three elephants...
Four elephants...
etc...
Notes
Brian sent a more literal translation with a note:
Un elefante se balanceaba = One elephant balancing
Sobre la tela de una arana = Upon a web of a spider
Como veia que resistia = Seeing that it resisted (that is, resisted breaking because of his weight)
Fue a llamar a otro elefante = He went to call another elephant.
Dos elefantes....
Tres elefantes...
... and so on.
Anyway, thanks for indulging me this. I just heard that song in my Spanish II class at the local college and was trying to learn the words this weekend before class tomorrow, and your page was a huge help.
Brian Simon
Another choice for the translation of the third line is: "Seeing that it held". Thanks for writing Brian! -Mama Lisa
Many thanks to Susan Pomerantz for playing the tune to Un elefante se balanceaba, on the piano, in the 2nd mp3.
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Jason Pomerantz for his help translating this song.
Many thanks to MySpanishGames.com for the youtube video.
¡Muchas gracias!
