Los Pollitos Dicen (The Little Chicks Say)

Ms. Juana shares a classic Spanish-language children’s song on the ukulele.

Credit: Juana Flores, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant

Note: The song “Los Pollitos Dicen” is enjoyed across Spanish-speaking cultures; there are many variations in lyrics and melody.

Enjoy this clip of Ms. Rosie singing “Los Pollitos Dicen” in her native Spanish from Colombia.

Credit: Rosie Camargo, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Lyrics and Chords:

SPANISH

[G] Los pollitos dicen

 

[C] Pio, pio, [G] pio

 

[C] Cuando tienen [G] hambre

 

[D] Cuando tienen [G] frio

 

[G] La gallina busca

 

[C] El maíz y el [G] trigo

 

[C] Les da la [G] comida

 

[D] Y les busca [G] Abrigo

 

[G] Bajo de sus alas

 

[C] Sienten [G] quietecito

 

[C] Y has el otro [G] día

 

[D] Duermen los [G] pollitos

 

ENGLISH

[G] All the little chicks say

 

[C] Pio, pio, [G] pio

 

[C] When they are [G] hungry

 

[D] When they are [G] cold

 

[G] Mama chicken looks for

 

[C] Corn and some [G] wheat

 

[C] That will give them [G] dinner

 

[D] That will give them [G] heat

 

[G] Under her wing

 

[C] the chicks she’ll [G] keep

 

[C] until the [G] morning

 

[D] the little chickies [G] sleep

Origins:

The song “Los Pollitos Dicen” is believed to stem from a poem of the same name by Chilean musician and writer Ismael Parraguez (1883-1917); it first appeared in his 1907 book, ‘Poesías Infantiles.’