“Twelve Days of a Caribbean Christmas”

Mi versión de los «Doce días de una Navidad caribeña» en Spanglish.


Collage of Caribbean fruits available at my local market in Chicago.

by Magdalena I. García

On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
five rum and coke…
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
six fruta bombas,
five rum and coke…
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
seven yummy yucas,
six fruta bombas,
five rum and coke…
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
eight mandarinas,
seven yummy yucas,
six fruta bombas,
five rum and coke…
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
nine large limones,
eight mandarinas,
seven yummy yucas,
six fruta bombas,
five rum and coke…
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
ten refreshing cocos,
nine large limones,
eight mandarinas,
seven yummy yucas,
six fruta bombas,
five rum and coke…
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
eleven juicy piñas,
ten refreshing cocos,
nine large limones,
eight mandarinas,
seven yummy yucas,
six fruta bombas,
five rum and coke…
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
twelve red mameyes,
eleven juicy piñas,
ten refreshing cocos,
nine large limones,
eight mandarinas,
seven yummy yucas,
six fruta bombas,
five rum and coke…
four ripened mangos,
three aguacates,
two habaneros,
y un tostón from a plátano tree.

© Magdalena I. García

An illustrated version of the original song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyNkmGg6Llk

An alternative version from Straight No Chaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dee-N0Fomqo