Don Triquitraque

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vibrant picture of a colorful character named Don Triquitraque, arriving from Havana. He's presented as a worldly traveler, a merchant who has "recorrío" (traveled) everywhere, accumulating "parneses" (money) through his "comercio de jipi-japa" (a kind of trade). The repetition of "Traca que traca" emphasizes his busy, perhaps relentless, nature of business. Don Triquitraque brings a fantastical assortment of goods, creating a sense of exotic wonder. We hear of "canela y clavo" (cinnamon and clove), "azúcar cande y oro nativo" (native sugar and gold), and even "colmillitos de un elefante" (little elephant tusks). The imagery extends to live creatures: "un moro vivo" (a live Moor, likely a bird or animal), "una mona ramona con su monito" (a monkey with its baby), and "una cotorra que viene hablando" (a talking parrot). This eclectic collection highlights his role as a purveyor of the unusual and the exotic. The narrator, seemingly a child, is particularly captivated by the personal gifts Don Triquitraque brings. There's a "paragüitas" (little umbrella) that makes the narrator feel "calao perdío" (completely soaked, perhaps from excitement or a playful splash) when it rains, and "pañolitos de seda" (silk handkerchiefs) that are unmatched in beauty. This personal touch, alongside the exotic wares, suggests Don Triquitraque is not just a merchant but a bringer of joy and wonder to the narrator's world. The overall effect is one of cheerful, almost magical commerce. Don Triquitraque is a larger-than-life figure, a source of novelty and delight, whose arrival signifies a burst of color and excitement. The lyrics celebrate the thrill of the exotic and the simple pleasure of receiving special gifts, all through the energetic and descriptive language.