Sitsiritsit

Sitsiritsit, also known as "Sitsiritsit Alibangbang", is a Filipino folk song. This humorous song describe a flirtatious woman threatening a storeowner that the ants are going to get him if he is not going to extend credit, as well as unusual situations of exchanging a child for a doll or bagoong. It is said to have originated during the country's Spanish colonization, as its lyrics suggest the ordinary life during that time.

Lyrics

"Sitsiritsit, alibangbang""Salaginto at salagubang.""Ang babae sa lansangan,""Kung gumiri’y parang tandang.

"Santo Niño sa Pandakan "Puto seko sa tindahan.""Kung ayaw mong magpautang,""Uubusin ka ng langgam."

"Mama, mama, namamangka,""Pasakayin yaring bata.""Pagdating sa Maynila,""Ipagpalit ng manika."

"Ale, ale namamayong "Pasukubin yaring sanggol.""Pagdating sa Malabon,""Ipagpalit ng bagoong."

"Sitsiritsit, alibangbang,""Salaginto at salagubang.""Ang babae sa lansangan,"'Kung gumiri’y parang tandang.

Rough translation

Sitsiritsit, butterfly
Black and golden beetles fly.
A woman on the street,
Sways her hips like a rooster.

Child Jesus of Pandacan,
Dry pastry on the store.
If you do not want to give credit,
May the ants eat you up.

Mister, Mister, rowing a boat,
Please take this child for a ride.
Once you reach Manila,
Trade the child for a doll.

Miss, Miss, holding an umbrella,
Please shelter this baby.
Once you reach Malabon,
Trade the baby for bagoong.

Sitsiritsit, butterfly
Black and golden beetles fly.
A woman on the street,
Sways her hips like a rooster.

Popular culture

*In the children's program Batibot, there are two alien puppets named Sitsiritsit and Alibangbang who love discovering new things, places, and people around them. [ [http://www.philonline.com.ph/~pctvf/muppets.html Batibot Muppets' Home Page] Philippine Children's Television Foundation, Inc. Home Page (accessed November 17, 2007)]
*In the 1920s, a jazzy version performed with a raspy voice by Vicente Ocampo was popularized on the Manila bodabil circuit. [Citation | author=Luningning B. Ira | date =December, 1998 | title =Two Tickets to Vod-A-Vil | periodical =1898:The Shaping of Philippine History | volume =II | series =16 | publication-place =Manila | publisher =Asia Pacific Communications Network, Inc. | pages =22]

References