Origins: Senor Don Gato

Subject: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 16 Nov 96 - 02:19 PM

Melody/Chord Search

I am looking for the chords/melody to an old Children's song called Senor Don Gato. I have the lyrics off of this server. Any help would be aprreciated. Thanks

Jerry Lovejoy Jefferson Elementary School Sacramento, Ca

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 23 Oct 97 - 05:20 PM

If anyone has the lyrics to Senor Don Gato , please email them to me. I've been looking for them forever!

Thanks!

Shellie

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Oct 97 - 06:17 PM

Lyrics are in Digitrad--search for GATO I don't know the tune.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 09 Jan 98 - 03:25 AM

Believe it or not, I learned this in elementary school circa 1979. I still remember the tune, so if anyone's still interested, email me and/or I'll figure out the note names and post it!

Subject: Lyr Add: DON GATO
From: J. D. Roberson
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 02:40 PM

DON GATO

I learned this at Robt. E. Peary Elementary School, Tulsa, Okla., in 2nd grade (1976-77), Frances Blazer's music/speech class.....remember it to this day.

O Senor Don Gato was a cat.
On a high red roof Don Gato sat.
He went there to read a letter, Meow, Meow Meow.
Where the reading light was better, M.., M.., M..
Twas a love note for D. G.

"I adore you," wrote the lady cat.
Who was fluffy white and nice and fat.
There was not a sweeter kitty, M, M, M.
In the country or the city, M, M, M.
And she said she'd wed D. G.

O D. G. jumped so happily.
He fell off the roof and broke his knee.
Broke his ribs and all his whiskers, M, M, M.
And his little solar plexis, M, M, M.
"Ay Carramba!" cried D. G.

Well the doctors all came on the run.
Just to see if something could be done.
So they held a consultation, Meow, Meow Meow.
About how to save their patient, Meow, Meow Meow.
How to save Senor Don Gato

But in spite of ev'rything they tried.
Poor Senor Don Gato up and died.
O it wasn't very merry, Meow, Meow Meow.
Going to the cemetery, Meow, Meow Meow.
For the ending of Don Gato

As the funeral passed the market square.
Such a smell of fish was in the air.
Though the burial was slated, M, M, M.
He became re-animated, M, M, M.
He came back to life, Don Gato!

(optional refrain)
For he had nine lives, Don Gato!

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 03:40 PM

Hey, Dick - there are a couple of verses above that aren't in the database. They make the story make a lot more sense. I highlighted them in bold.
Anybody got the tune?
-Joe offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: EL SEÑOR DON GATO
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 04:17 PM

Here's a Spanish version, with a bit of a different meaning:

"EL SEÑOR DON GATO"

(English translation is shown on alternate lines in Italic text)

Sentado en silla de oro estaba el senor Don Gato
Seated on a chair of gold was the mister cat

Con unas medias de seda y unos zapatitos blancos
With stockings of silk and little shoes of white

Refrain:

Ate y ale pum, ate y ale pum, unos zapatitos blancos

Ha recibido una carta que si quiere ser casado
He has recieved a letter that if he wishes to be married

Con una gatita parda, sobrina de un gato pardo
With a cat dark, niece of a cat dark

El gatito de contento se ha caido del tejado
The kitten, from joy has fallen from the roof

Ya se ha muerto, ya se ha muerto, ya se ha muerto, el gatito
Now he has died, now he has died, now he has died, the kitten

Ya lo llevan a enterrar, por la calle del pescado
Now they take him in to bury, through the street of the fish

Las gatitas van de luto y los ratones bailando
The kittens go in mourning and the rats dancing

Y al olor de las sardinas el gato ha resucitado
And at the smell of the sardines the cat has revived

Por eso dicen la gente: siete vidas tiene el gato
That is why say the people: seven lives has the cat

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: J. D. Roberson
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 04:26 PM

Hey Joe Offer,

Out of curiosity, where/when did you learn the song. Apparently, it was taught throughout all of Tulsa Public Schools (all of my local friends from here learned it), and the only other people that I know who are familiar with it are various friends from Missouri.

On those days back in grade school when we could choose a song for the class to sing, I ALWAYS selected Don Gato (my classmates hated me after a while).

I realize this is a folk song.....any chance of knowing who wrote it, or any history?

Thanks for the Spanish version.

J. D. Roberson.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 05:04 PM

I don't know the song, J.D. That's the problem. I've seen posts about it in this thread off and on since it started in 11/96 (in the very early history of Mudcat) - but so far, nobody has been able to post a tune to the darn thing. I found the Spanish lyrics on a folklorico Web site. Apparently, "Don Gato" is a well-known Spanish tune, but I haven't been able to find it yet. If anybody has the tune but doesn't know how to post it, send me an e-mail (click on my name) and maybe you can fax or mail it to me and I'll transcribe it into a MIDI.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: J. D. Roberson
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 05:07 PM

Joe,

I have the entire tune in my head. I may have to write it down in simple note-by-note music and somehow put it on here. Let me work on it and I'll try to get back soon.

Thanks, J. D.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Jon W.
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 05:30 PM

J.D., check out the ABC musical notation rules on the ABC homepage. This is a standard way to write down music in a note-by-note, human readable, machine transmitable way.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: J. D. Roberson
Date: 16 Sep 98 - 12:30 AM

Jon W.

Cool. I will check it out. Hope to be able to reply back within this week.

J. D.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 16 Sep 98 - 06:37 AM

Spanish cats have only seven lives?

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 16 Sep 98 - 11:33 AM

Here ya go kids: I've missed you! I've been far too busy to visit most of the time, but I'm glad Jerry thought to drop me a line.

I hope this helps, though it isn't exactly standard notation.

If somebody puts it into a form I can hear, I'll be happy to check the phrasing. Alternately, I can make a little .wav file of me singing it and send it to someone who cares. Just let me know! =)

(BTW, I got this version of the tune out of a public elementary school music book about 15 years ago.)

A C E---- F G-----F G D E 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 (above x 2)

E F E F E F F E D C# D 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 &

D E D E D E E D C B C 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 &

A C E---- B D---- C B C 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 &

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 16 Sep 98 - 11:37 AM

D'oh!! I forgot the 's. I hope this is more readable:

(Else I'll look twice a fool, hehe...)

A C E---- F G-----F G D E
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
(above x 2)

E F E F E F F E D C# D
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 &

D E D E D E E D C B C
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 &

A C E---- B D---- C B C
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 &

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 16 Sep 98 - 11:41 AM

Shucks!! It's been so bloody long I've forgotten how to do this. At any rate, if you take the numbering at the end of each line and begin it directly under the letters, it should line up the timing of the notes. Argh... My sincerest apologies for being a dolt. ;-)

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: J. D. Roberson
Date: 16 Sep 98 - 02:05 PM

Elektra,

Glad you got my message. Those notes look correct. Unfortunately, I don't have a musical keyboard handy.

Joe Offer, this tune always sounded to be in a minor key. If you try the notes above, it will likely sound odd, but it looks correct. The first "E" is the down beat.....the preceeding A and C end-off the previous measure (It's been so long since studying music terminology).

Possibly, we learned different variations on the tune. You know those ad-libbing elementary music teachers (!).

J. D. Roberson

Subject: Tune Add: DON GATO
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Sep 98 - 02:29 AM

Ah, finally, after two years, we have a tune! Thanks to Elektra, who e-mailed me a Noteworthy file.
-Joe Offer-

MIDI file: DONGAT~1.MID

Timebase: 192

Name: Don Gato
Text: By
Copyright: Copyright © by
Tempo: 220 (272727 microsec/crotchet)
TimeSig: 4/4 24 8
Start
0000 1 57 110 0160 0 57 000 0032 1 60 110 0160 0 60 000 0032 1 64 110 0528 0 64 000 0048 1 65 110 0160 0 65 000 0032 1 67 110 0528 0 67 000 0048 1 65 110 0160 0 65 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0160 0 62 000 0032 1 64 110 0720 0 64 000 0048 1 57 110 0160 0 57 000 0032 1 60 110 0160 0 60 000 0032 1 64 110 0528 0 64 000 0048 1 65 110 0160 0 65 000 0032 1 67 110 0528 0 67 000 0048 1 65 110 0160 0 65 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0160 0 62 000 0032 1 64 110 0720 0 64 000 0048 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 65 110 0160 0 65 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 65 110 0160 0 65 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 65 110 0160 0 65 000 0032 1 65 110 0160 0 65 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0160 0 62 000 0032 1 61 110 0160 0 61 000 0032 1 62 110 0336 0 62 000 0048 1 62 110 0160 0 62 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0160 0 62 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0160 0 62 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0160 0 62 000 0032 1 60 110 0160 0 60 000 0032 1 59 110 0160 0 59 000 0032 1 60 110 0336 0 60 000 0048 1 57 110 0160 0 57 000 0032 1 60 110 0160 0 60 000 0032 1 64 110 0528 0 64 000 0048 1 59 110 0160 0 59 000 0032 1 62 110 0528 0 62 000 0048 1 60 110 0160 0 60 000 0032 1 59 110 0160 0 59 000 0032 1 57 110 0160 0 57 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:Don Gato
M:4/4
Q:1/4=220
K:C
A,2C2E4|-E2F2G4|-G2F2E2D2|E8|A,2C2E4|-E2F2G4|
-G2F2E2D2|E8|E2F2E2F2|E2F2F2E2|D2^C2D4|D2E2D2E2|
D2E2E2D2|C2B,2C4|A,2C2E4|-E2B,2D4|-D2C2B,2A,7/4||

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: J. D. Roberson
Date: 17 Sep 98 - 09:21 AM

Hallelujah!!!!

May Senor Don Gato live forever!

Thanks to Joe, Jon, and Elektra.

J. D. Roberson.

Subject: Chords Add: DON GATO
From:
Date: 17 Sep 98 - 11:03 AM

Following are some guitar chords that work fairly well:

    Am        G    Am
  O Senor Don Gato was a cat.
     Am         G        Am
  On a high red roof Don Gato sat.
          E                                  Dm
  He went there to read a letter, Meow, Meow Meow.
            Dm                        G         Am
  Where the reading light was better, M.., M.., M..
         E         Dm      G Am
  Twas a love note for Don Gato

Hopefully, it kinda lines up this time. (It looks fine when I'm typing it in.) If not, SOMEBODY should consider an evenly spaced font for the message board itself! (hint, hint...)

While this is in the same key as the Noteworthy file I sent, I don't know (not that it matters so much) if that's actually the key I learned it in. The intervals, at least, are correct.

Think spanish guitar, and put a nice little flamenco-y flourish on the end of the first two lines. Have fun! =)

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Animaterra
Date: 17 Sep 98 - 09:39 PM

Speaking as an ad-libbing elementary music teacher, that song's been all around the map! It's in several current music texts (I only look at samples, never buy 'em, so I don't know which ones), and I learned it in the late seventies at music ed school. The kiddies do love it- right up there with Waltzing With Bears and Beans in my Ears. And All Gods Critters. If I had a nickle for every time I've sung 'em.....

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Tracy
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 12:27 PM

Wow! I didn't know so many people knew about this song. I learned this song in the 3rd grade. I am 26 know and I have for some reason been humming it and remembered only a few lyrics. My daughter has caught it and wants to hear more. If anyone still has not found the lyrics to Don Gato here is a website where you can get them http://kididdles.com/mouseum/

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Dave
Date: 25 Feb 99 - 11:42 PM

I am 37 and learned the song in grade school back in Ohio back in the early 70's '71 or '72. I am totally amazed I was able to find the lyrics..

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Mark
Date: 06 Mar 99 - 03:44 PM

I also know the song. I learned it in second grade in Fairfax Virginia. I can't believe there is a web site about it.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Mark
Date: 06 Mar 99 - 03:54 PM

I'm also amazed that this many people have even thought about this song. Even more amazed that I was able to find it on the web.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: betty
Date: 07 Mar 99 - 03:22 PM

I've just been interduced to mudcat. I have been teaching Don Gato in my 4th grade music class since '78. It is published i the '78 additon of the Silver Burdett music book. Great song , kids love it. I'd be glad to share the tune if you didn't get and can tell me how. I could resort to the old fashioned way and mail it.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 08 Mar 99 - 01:30 AM

Betty's right. We have been doing this song in schools for at least 15 years and it's always a hit for grades K through 6. In fact, we learned it from some third graders in San Francisco.

We started doing it in Spanish about three years ago and it is even more popular among Spanish speaking kids than the English version is among English speakers.

It's also correct that cats have seven lives in all Spanish speaking countries and nine lives in the U.S. Just ask any kid who's first language is Spanish.

Finally, it's interesting to note that in the Spanish version, the female cat is described as "una gatita parda", a little dark cat, while in English she is "fluffy, white and nice and fat".

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Animaterra
Date: 08 Mar 99 - 11:34 AM

Bev and Jerry -Wouldja be willing to share this in Spanish, please? I've resisted teaching it for several years because I've had doubts about its authenticity, but maybe it's time to cave in...

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 08 Mar 99 - 08:46 PM

It's farther up in this thread. Joe Offer posted it on September 15. We have the tune but not the smarts to post it to this forum. If you want it, we'll send it by snail mail.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 10:13 PM

I learned this song as a little girl and I know it by heart. I am dying to find this song on cassette. Anybody know if it is available this way? I heard it on a record that my mom bought for me, I want to say it was a kids album with the songs..Cookaburra sits in the old gum tree...., and maybe The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Someone has got to know!

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Anne
Date: 23 Mar 99 - 09:47 PM

My husband told me to come and look, he had found a thread on the Don Gato song I had often told him about. I loved the song when I was little, too. I think I learned it in the second or third grade in about 1972 in Belton, South Carolina. My seven-year-old daughter loves it now, and I'm happy to see all the lyrics here because I had forgotten some of them. It's a great song, obviously, since it has stuck with so many of us.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 01 Apr 99 - 12:40 PM

Thank everyone for having this thread, I learned the song in (like everyone else) elementary school and somehow got it stuck in my head this morning after God knows how many years.

Thanks again

Later

Josh

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 01 Apr 99 - 01:24 PM

The first posting on this thread was November 16, 1996, more than 16 months ago. This proves that the cat does, indeed, have nine lives (or seven if you learned the song in Spanish).

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: bet
Date: 03 Apr 99 - 11:19 AM

Glad to see someone else in elementarty music. I've also been teaching this in 4th since 78. Silber B. Great song. Spanish would be fun. bet

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Heather
Date: 03 Jul 99 - 09:18 PM

Add me to the list! I am 30 and learned this song in elementary school in North Carolina. I have been trying to remember the words but could only recall the first two lines and Meow Meow Meow! What a load off of my mind!

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Anne
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 01:51 AM

So no one knows where I can find the album that this song was on? Someone must know the name of the record???

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 04:18 AM

Hi, Anne - Click Here to get to a Rounder record by El Lobo that has this song and many other classic Spanish children's songs.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Matthew B.
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 09:50 AM

I remember when I heard this song. It was 1964 and I was in elementary school. The teacher played us the album, and most of us were crying (or at least very choked up) by the time the cat died, and then suddenly overjoyed when he came back to life. What an emotional roller coaster for a room full of 3rd graders.

Anyway, I never heard it again, but I never forgot it either -- even though I'd heard it only once (which says a lot about how strong an impression one song can make). I'm delighted to see it in print at last.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Rex
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 11:03 AM

Bonnie Phipps has produced several children's CDs and at least one of them has Don Gato. I don't know which or even if it is still available. You could ask the fine folks at Swallow Hill (www.swallowhill.com). They will know. You can also check with Harry Tuft at the Denver Folklore Center (sorry, no web or email just the old long distance [phone]) I know they had copies of Bonnie's CDs.

Rex

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Rex
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 08:35 PM

I did some digging. It's on a cassette. Bonnie Phipps, Dinosaur Choir. It was done in 1992. It may not be available. I know she had some things on CDs. If anyone wants, I could track her recordings down further. Just leave a note here if you do.

Rex

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 10 Jul 99 - 05:32 PM

The cat came back - we thought he was a goner - but the cat came back - it just couldn't stay away!

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Penny S.
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 07:16 AM

The nine/seven lives reminds me of a query I saw somewhere else recently about being on cloud nine in Britain, seven in Germany, which was not answered, and which reminded me of the Norse/Germanic worlds of which there were nine or seven, according to where you lived. But whichever number that was, we're on the middle one. Bringing the Spanish into the confusion is interesting, but not at helpful.

Something to do with numerology, magic numbers or odd numbers, or prime numbers or...

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 08:04 AM

Here's a link to Bonnie Phipps' own page on the net with all kinds of info: Bonnie Phipps that is, http://www.abmall.com/cmc/

---

http://www.kiddomusic.com/PhippsBonnie.html#1232 [new URL, Nov 2003 (Joe Offer)]

Subject: Lyr Add: SENOR CAT'S ROMANCE (Lucia M. Gonzalez)
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 12:32 AM

We just found this really nice translation of the origial spanish lyrics in a book entitled "Senor Cat's Romance and other Favorite Stories from Latin America" by Lucia M. Gonzalez (copyright 1997). The translation is not literal and has been cosiderably embellished but it retains the flavor of the original much better than the commonly known English wodrds posted above.

SENOR CAT'S ROMANCE

Senor Sir Cat, on his golden throne sat,
in Spain, once upon a time,
drinking spiced milk in his stockings of silk
and his golden shoes, oh, so fine.

A servant in livery brought a note, hand delivery,
what wonderful news he carried!
Cried Senor Sir Cat, "Ah ha! Look at that!
It says that I am to be married!"

His new bride to be - oh, so lovely was she-
a Moorish cat, rich and well-bred.
and a sight to behold in her dress of bright gold,
and her fur of the softest orange-red.

The very next day, in a church by the bay.
Sir Cat and his true love were wed.
They served nougats and sweets,
Spanish wines, and fine meats,
oh, their guests were most sumptuously fed!

"Let me sing of my love to the stars up above!"
sang Sir Cat from the roof where he'd climbed.
Oh, the joy that he felt made his happy heart melt-
but perhaps he took leave of his mind.

So hapy was he caterwauling and howling,
and capering atop the church roof,
that too wildly he danced - and o'er the edge pranced-
hitting the ground with an OOF!

They called for the doctor, the surgeon, and barber,
who all said, "He cannot prevail!"
He's crushed his poor paw and he's broken his jaw
seven ribs and the tip of his tail!"

Next morning t'was time to bury the kind -
but foolish - Senor Sir Cat.
The Lady Cats wept, while the Tom Cats slept
wearing their black funeral hats.

The kittens wept sadly, their hearts broken badly,
"Miau-miau, miau-miau," they frowned.
But on each mouse's head, was a cap of bright red-
as they joyfully danced through the town.

In his coffin he rode, while friends solemnly strode,
in a line down the Alley of Fish.
But the sardines' aroma woke Sir Cat from his coma -
revived by his favorite dish!

When Sir Cat recovered, the mice he discovered,
and chased every one down the street.
Now it's no tale of wives that cats have seven lives!
But for now, friends...our tale is complete!

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Ely
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 11:53 AM

I haven't heard this in 10 years! I learned it in Denver when I was about 8 (ca. 1985). Our class did a play to it--sort of a mini-opera--with kids acting it out as we sang.

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,SouthJess
Date: 18 May 00 - 03:26 PM

Denver! We learned it in Boulder, Colorado in 1976??? I've remembered it right up to "fluffy white and nice and fat" plus the line of him breaking his solar plexus (I had to ask my mom what that was. . .) but always wondered why they taught us such a sad song. . .Now I know he didn't die!!

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From:
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:49 PM

HELLO EVERYONE

The first time I heard Senor Don Gato was in 3rd grade 1973 in Los Angeles,California. Does anyone know if there is an MP3 available for this song.

If someone has the song and could make a cassette for me I would be willling to pay the postage. My e-mail address is: [e-mail]

Hope to hear from someone soon.
Greg

---

I've got a recording for you, Greg - just reply to the e-mail I sent you.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,Guest,bflat
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 05:53 AM

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: GUEST,ERIC
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 12:47 AM

I first sang this song in 1977 in Indianapolis, IN. I was trying to sing the song to my brother, who should remember it but does not, but I could not remember the words. Does anyone know if I could get an mp3 to help my brother remember?

Subject: RE: Senor Don Gato
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 02:07 AM

Hi, Eric - If you have RealPlayer, I can make you a better recording. Otherwise, I'll send an MP3. Just click on my name to send me e-mail - and remind me which song it was that you wanted.
I have only the Spanish version,, but that should do the trick for you. There are several versions of the lyrics above.
-Joe Offer (click to e-mail)-