Origins: Senor Don Gato

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 09:09 PM

Don Gato rules! I find it hilarious that this thread has lasted over 5 years! Keep it up guys!

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 04:34 PM

http://www.elalmanaque.com/diciembre/28-12-poe.htm

¡Viva Don Gato! Imagine my surprise in 1987 in Barcelona when a Catalonian friend began to sing "Vamos a contar mentiras" ( Let's Tell Lies") to the tune of my beloved childhood "Don Gato." It seems our Don Gato got the lyrics & plot from one traditional song and the tune from a completely separate one, having nothing to do with cats.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Bo in KY
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 12:28 AM

... but the cat thread came back, the very next day,
the cat thread came back,
they thought he was a goner ...


Sorry, couldn't resist.

Subject: Lyr Add: VAMOS A CONTAR MENTIRAS
From: GUEST,Don
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 01:37 AM

From the link given above:

VAMOS A CONTAR MENTIRAS

Ahora que vamos despacio,
ahora que vamos despacio,
vamos a contar mentiras, tralará,
vamos a contar mentiras, tralará,
vamos a contar mentiras.

Por el mar corren las liebres,
por el mar corren las liebres,
por el monte las sardinas, tralará,
por el monte las sardinas, tralará,
por el monte las sardinas.

Salí de mi campamento,
salí de mi campamento
con hambre de seis semanas, tralará,
con hambre de seis semanas, tralará,
con hambre de seis semanas.

Me encontré con un ciruelo,
me encontré con un ciruelo
cargadito de manzanas, tralará,
cargadito de manzanas, tralará,
cargadito de manzanas.

Empecé a tirarle piedras,
empecé a tirarle piedras
y caían avellanas, tralará,
y caían avellanas, tralará,
y caían avellanas.

Con el ruido de las nueces,
con el ruido de las nueces
salió el amo del peral, tralará,
salió el amo del peral, tralará,
salió el amo del peral.

Chiquillo, no tires piedras,
chiquillo, no tires piedras,
que no es mío el melonar, tralará.
Que no es mío el melonar, tralará,
que no es mío el melonar.

Que es de una vieja muy pobre,
que es de una vieja muy pobre
que vive en El Escorial, tralará,
que vive en El Escorial, tralará,
que vive en El Escorial.

Y aquí se acaba la historia,
Y aquí se acaba la historia
de Pepino y Zanahoria, tralará,
de Pepino y Zanahoria, tralará,
de Pepino y Zanahoria.

Canción popular anónima. Existen numerosas variantes.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Pilar - Spain
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 01:35 PM

Hey! This thread is just amazing! I didn't know that in the States you had an English version of El Senor Don Gato. By the way, the Vamos a contar mentiras has a completely different tune. The Catalonian friend who was singing it on The Senor Don Gato melody was just mistaken. Regards,

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Originally from..
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 01:43 PM

By the way, the origins of the song of Don Gato are rooted in Spain in the 15th century, as it has been proved that the Jews sent away at that time by the Catholic Kings keep it still in their folklor in Tetuan.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,.
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 10:29 AM

..

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,kagarci
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 05:23 PM

I have also been searching for years. I sang Senor Don Gato in grade school (circa 1970) in Albuquerque, NM. Since the majority of the grade schools didn't have a music teacher, we all turned on the in-class TV's once a week for "Sound Go Round". It aired on the local PBS station. I have been singing it on and off over the years and still love it!

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,guest,
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 11:35 PM

I can't believe how much stuff came up in a search for this song! I also learned it in elementary FPBS, NY 1973ish.
I was trying to find the lyrics for the part after
the doctors all came on the run...

I kept remembering another line that went something like

......get some linaments and linen
meow, meow, meow

Does anyone else recall this verse or anything like it? Out of all the stuff that came up I didn't see anything like it. Maybe from another song?

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 12:35 AM

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 19 Sep 03 - 04:22 PM

I am 29 years old and have remembered this song since I learned it the 4th grade! I was looking for the lyrics and came across this wonderful thread! This is my favorite childrens song!

My class did this on stage. I got to play the fluffy white cat and the doctors. My friend played Don Gato while the rest of the class stood on stage in a chorus. It was great and the audience laughed and cried.

I was looking for the lyrics because I wanted to do something new for my barony the Barony of Rivenstar (Society for Creative Anachronism or SCA). We have been doing some Italian impromptu street theatre performances, and I thought Don Gato would be a great piece to sing and act out. Thanks to every one on the threads for posting lyrics. I could never remember the last line. Now I have several versions of it!

Thanks again!
Kat
aka: Lady Elisaveta Izmaragd Ivanova

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Jo
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 01:02 AM

Hi, I have also been looking for this song. I learned it around 1970 in Georgetown, Texas.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,SomeDude
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 10:50 PM

I also heard it on the "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" record when I was a kid in the mid to late 70s.
Seems like there's another verse that says something like "the sound was heard for miles around".
Is there a verse with that in it?

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 03 - 09:10 PM

Count me in as another one who had the song stay with him lo these many (33 or so) years. Learned it in elementary school in Pittsburgh, PA in the late 60's. I came to this thread because I now have two boys to whom I want to sing it, and wanted to find the actual melody (the years have messed it up in my head). The melodies provided above didn't have the rhythm so I kept looking (and because I didn't want to go trying to find a Silver Burdett book. )The following URL has it, though as I remember it the beginning two eighth notes are O and Sen-, not Se- and nor, and no "he" before "was a cat." Otherwise it seems to be the way I had learned it.

http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/pages/ttDONGATO.html

It would be interesting to know whether this melody is the one most people in this Don Gato Fan Club had learned.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 18 Oct 03 - 09:25 PM

That's the one.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,J.D. Roberson
Date: 24 Oct 03 - 01:23 PM

There's now an illustrated book dedicated to our beloved, re-animated feline. See the link at Candlewick Press:

http://www.candlewickpress.com/cwp/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763617245&bkview=p&pix=n

J.D. Roberson

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 01:55 PM

"By the way, the origins of the song of Don Gato are rooted in Spain in the 15th century, as it has been proved that the Jews sent away at that time by the Catholic Kings keep it still in their folklor in Tetuan."

Where did this information come from! I would love to document any information about this song that predates the 16th century.

If any one has any factual sources, please contact me!

email: [e-mail]

Don Gato Fan,
Kathleen
SCA: Lady Elisaveta Izmaragd Ivanova

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 07:10 PM

Hi, Kathleen - This Google Search (click) for "Don Gato" sephardic brings up some information, notably this page (click) on the lighter side of Judeo-Spanish traditional song. You'll find "Estaba señor Don Gato" listed on a few CD's of Ladino/Sephardic songs.
-Joe Offer-

---

I can't believe it - I came across a Ladino Song Database, and it has lyrics for don Gato.

Don Gato
In other versions, it is the girl cat that jumps and is hurt.
Estando el señor Don Gato     sentadito en su tejado con la mano en la cintura     y la otra en el costado. Por allí pasó una gata     con los ojos arrelumbrando. El gato, por darla un beso,     se cayó de su tejado. Se partió media costilla,     media costilla y un brazo. Mandaron por los doctores,     doctores y cirujanos. Uno le miraba el pulso     y otro le miraba el brazo. Ya lo llevan a enterrar,     por la calle las sardinas, El olor de las sardinas,     el gato resucitó. [Por eso dice la gente,     siete almas tiene un gato.]		There was a boy cat     sitting on a roof with one in his waist     and the other one on the hip. A girl cat passed by     with bright eyes. The boy cat for giving her a kiss     jumped from his roof. He broke a middle rib     and an arm. They sent for doctors,     for doctors and surgeons. One looked at the pulse     the other one at the arm. They brought him for the burial     to the street of sardines. The smelling of the sardines     brought him back to life. [For this reason people say     a cat has seven lives.]

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 09 Nov 03 - 09:52 AM

As with another current thread, this song was taught in British schools through the medium of radio broadcasts, with small music books for teachers/pupils, many of which can probably still be found, and I have a few.
The version taught here is different from that quoted, so I quote it entire. (Melody line available if required)

Nigel

___________________________________________________________

THE GREAT DON GATO

Once the noblest cat, Don Gato
To his sweetheart sent a note,
Miri miri Miaw! Miaw! Miaw!
'Marry me dear Mistress Pussy.'

On the roof top high he waited;
Answered she, 'I'll be your bride'.
Miri miri Miaw! Miaw! Miaw!
Overcome with joy, he tumbled.
         
Oh how sad, the great Don Gato
Lies so still upon the ground.            
Miri miri Miaw! Miaw! Miaw!            
Doctors quickly come to help him.

Doctors shake their heads so sadly,            
'Nothing here that we can do',            
Miri miri Miaw! Miaw! Miaw!            
Through the market place they bear him.      

                 
But the smells of fruit and fishes            
Reach Don Gato's lordly nose.            
Miri miri Miaw! Miaw! Miaw!            
Up he jumps, his ills forgotten.
      
Mistress Puss comes from the country,         
Isn't she a lovely bride?            
Miri miri Miaw! Miaw! Miaw!            
No one had a grander wedding.
         
Seven fluffy kits are brides-maids,            
All the cats are there to see.            
Miri miri Miaw! Miaw! Miaw!            
'Best of luck!' they wish Don Gato.
         

Notes: published in: "Time and tune ; BBC Sound Broadcasts to Schools Autumn Term 1963"; Acknowledgements are given to J Curwen & Sons Ltd for the words and music from Children's Songs from Spain

NP

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 03:38 PM

For years I've asked friends if they remember this song to which I only remembered the first few lyrics. No one remembered!! They asked (joking) where you in Special Ed or something cause we did'nt sing that in our class? I sang what I knew to my boyfriend and he can't get it off his mind and keeps asking me to sing it. This AM I called and old school friend and sang what I knew on her voice mail. She called back and remembered more.
I was like "Oh my God you remember that song!" Then I got online and found you guys! I love the song!! I'm going to Barnes and Noble according to their website, they have CD or cassette!

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Laura
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 12:33 PM

I sang this song in Mrs Boggan's 3rd glade class in Santa Monica in 1979/1980. We sang some other great songs, too. I was playing the guitar this morning with the kids while my husband was showing my 5 yr old how to draw a cat. I started figuring out how to play "The Cat Came Back". Then I vaguely remembered this Senor Gato song. All I could remember was the lyric "smell of fish" (was in the air). Anyway, I did a search and weve been playing the song all morning.

I use A minor and G for most of the song. Then E major for the last line in each phrase.

So great to hear so many others remember this song so fondly!

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 07:10 PM

I too learned this song in grade school (Detroit area) in about 1964-65. Haven't seen anyone on this thread mention learning it any earlier... so is that when it made its first appearance in US elementary school music classes? Or does anyone remmber learning it before that?

Just wondering,

YY

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 07:54 PM

A long history of the song at this site, in Spanish, by Dr. Elfidio Alonso. It seems that the song can be traced to mid-18th century, but there is some question about it being found from the 14th century in Sephardic literature. A lot of speculation. Did it pass from Cuba to Spain? African predecessor? No habla Español, so guessing.
Website: Senor Don Gato

I hope someone who knows Spanish will summarize the highlights of this article.
Did the song enter North America from the south, or did it come across from Spain?

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Charles
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 09:09 PM

The web is quite amazing. I have had this song in my head ever since I heard it from a friend of mine in High School in Jos, Plateau State in Nigeria! I am 27 and that was in 1989.

We went to boarding school and my friend Abu use to sing it all the time. My room-mates and I would ask him to sing it for us cause we liked it so much.

I remember that he use to sing another verse in which Don Gato rises, heads to the market and eats all the fish. The villagers then actually kill him! Has anyone heard of this, or is this some dark twist that was added at some point. Sorry for the potential bad news about Don Gato but I'd like to know if its real.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 10:12 PM

The Bonnie Phipps Site link given much earlier above has now died.

Robin

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Neo
Date: 06 Dec 03 - 12:12 PM

does anyone have the music for Senor Don Gato? or at least know where to find it? if you can please email it to me at, [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 06 Dec 03 - 03:15 PM

Neo:

It's winging its way through cyberspace as we type this.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 06 Dec 03 - 03:27 PM

Melody line (mentioned 9.Nov.o3) going in e-mail

Nigel

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Jan 04 - 12:22 AM

Estaba Senor Don Gato, sung in Spanish, in the folder Bridges of Song; mp3. Many Spanish Sephardic songs here and some other old Spanish songs: Spanish, Sephardic

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 09 Jan 04 - 12:48 AM

Is this really the same Don Gato we all know and love? Sure didn't sound like it.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Carl
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 12:06 AM

Well,
I too went a seaching for all the words, thanks everyone.
I learned it in 5th grade in WALLA WALLA Washington at Prospect point, 1970, Seems that when we get older and need to teach our grandkids a song this one pops out.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Leena
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 01:12 AM

wow, this is weird! We're playing A song in band called Monterey March and I found out it was based on a Mexican Folk song called Don Gato. I went to look it up on the internet to see if I could find more about it and I find this. Does anyone know if it's based on the same song you guys are talking about?

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 07:12 AM

Pierre LaPlante arranged the march tune. Senor Don Gato is Spanish, not Mexican, but it is well-known in Mexico.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Robert
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 10:02 PM

Like so many others over the years, I just stumbled across this thread while hunting for information about "Don Gato," a song I've never forgotten since hearing it in Mrs. Griffin's third-grade music class in 1974.

I liked the song so much I brought a tape to school and had Mrs. Griffin make a copy of the record for me. And I recently found that I still had the tape, and I was still able to play it after 30 years. There are other recordings of the song now available, but for me this will always be the definitive one. I wish I knew what record it was.

If anybody is interested in hearing my vintage 1974 recording of the old record, I could put up an MP3 of it (though it is pretty bad quality).

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Lori
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 12:06 AM

I probably speak from many of us out here that we would love to here it- even in poor quality!
Thanks!

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,katie
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 03:37 PM

This is awesome! I'm a 2nd grade teacher and I'm singing Don Gato with my students next week - I hope they all love it as much as you do! I chose this song because my mom used to sing it to me when I was little. It's such a neat song!

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST, Gina
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 10:22 AM

I suddenly thought of this song while working at my desk this morning. I am so pleased to finally have all the words, and not just Meow, Meow, Meow! I learned this song in 3rd grade in Western New York. Here's to Don Gato and his nine lives!

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 11:53 AM

Geez, Senor Don Gato will never die, will he?

Good kitty!

Allison

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Robert
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 10:41 PM

I offered to post this a month or so ago, and then had computer problems. Sorry about that!

Here it is: a recording
made in 1974 of "Don Gato" as I first heard it. I wonder how many other people remember this version.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,J.D. Roberson
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 08:17 AM

Thank you Robert for posting that recording! Other than singing "Don Gato" to myself, that's the first time in many years I have heard it performed! This forum thread is amazing.

Has anyone located the John Manders book on "Don Gato" from Candlewick Press? It's special order at Borders and B&N, but I've not yet seen it already in stock.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 01:11 PM

Manders' "Senor Don Gato" is available in school and library binding for $11.19 from Amazon. It came out Aug. 2003.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 11:28 AM

I've been singing Don Gato since we learned it in third grade (1969), in Portsmouth, VA. I wanted to teach it to my daughter, who is thrilled and enchanted by the bit I remembered -- only the first and third stanzas! Now I have it all, the music, and the link to Amazon. You guys are great! Viva Don Gato!

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Suzette Fisher
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:16 PM

I can't believe I found the words!!! I have been singing this song forever...I learned it in 5th grade 1975 Bay Village, Ohio. But, I forgot the last two versus. I've been singing it to my 2 girls for the last five years, but I would just make up the ending. Tonight I thought, well, it's a long shot, but maybe there will be something on the web. What a suprise to see all the other people just like me that had this catchy little tune also stuck in their heads all these years! Wow! Thanks for the lyrics. I feel complete now...haha!

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: ranger1
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 03:15 PM

I'd forgotten all about this song until I happened across this thread. I learned it it 3rd grade in Enfield, NH, but not from the music teacher. Our 3rd grade teacher caught on quick that our music teacher was an absolutely horrible person and most of us were actually dreading going to music class every week. Mr. Downall started teaching us songs in our classroom to keep music a good experience. Don Gato was one, and we also learned a couple about foxes, one of which was in German. I hadn't thought about Don Gato in years, but as soon as I saw the thread, all the words and the tune came back.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:27 PM

Manders' "Senor Don Gato," Candlewick Press, has sheet music at the end. The book in hard cover is on sale at Amazon for $11.19.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 08:38 PM

The Sephardic Jewish origin of Don Gato has been mentioned in a previous posting.
At this web site given below are reproduced all of the versions so far found and incorporated in the Archive of Sephardic Folk Literature (in Spanish).

There are versions from all of the countries of Latin America, the state of New Mexico, Spain and Morocco. Versions may vary from town to town and area to area; they are all given here.

A truly amazing compilation, with references.
http://www.sephardifolklit.org/flsj/explore/searchBallads1.html?amp=W1

The website is a comprehensive archive of the folk literature of Sephardic Jews. The Home Page is:
Sephardic Folk Literature

Subject: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 17 Apr 04 - 04:47 PM

I heard Senor Don Gato once - 12 years ago - in the Haight Ashbery SF Public Library on a Folkways [I think] disc that was so scratched that it was almost unplayable. I never wrote down who the singer was.

I took it home and taped it and - of course - I love it. I guess that anyone reading this thread won't be surprised.

I was living in San Francisco and soon after returned home to England. I now live in London and am very happy to be reading about the love that people have for the song. Nobody in England [except my daughter & I] knows of it.

I love the idea that it is in the library right opposite the houses that Jefferson Airplane & The Grateful Dead used to live in.

Now that I have the chords I will play it to her on my Ukulele.

Best wishes & thanks to all contributors.

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 12:18 AM

I cannot believe how many people have heard this song. I've been trying to remember the lyrics for about 33 years, i knew the story but couldn't quite put the verses together. Every now and then it comes in to mind and I'm singing im my heaed. I first heard this song in 2nd or 3rd grade in New York and have been telling my kids and husband about it. of course they think i'm crazy, now I can show them this!!
Thanks for posting

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,ZTex
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 10:05 PM

Well,

I went looking for Don Gato out of pure couriosity because the boys in our Scout troop sing a version of it on Campouts! WOW and I thought they made it up!

Whoduthunkit!

Cool

Subject: RE: Origins: Senor Don Gato
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 05 May 04 - 12:03 PM

All right! I give in! I'm crying "uncle"!

After 10 Don Gato-free years, I'm teaching this song to my students this week!

I'll let you know how it goes...

Allison