1. There is a high number of working melodies performed on the basis of an extremely
fluctuating and free rhythm that the singer changes according to the needs of the moment or
the task itself. However, there is no single model related to a specific task but there are many
variants as individuals sing, since another of its special features is that they are performed only
by voice. These songs tend to be, generally speaking, the work accompanying: the songs of
headland plowing, the planting, harvesting and threshing, which we can also add the collection
of mulberry leaf.
Unfortunately, today, these songs have almost lost. It does not mean that workers in the field
or orchard not continue singing to accompany their work, but the real and primitive work
songs, the precise and specific assessment for each of the farm work were forgotten and
adultered irreparably to the point of losing their functionality. The causes are many: the
disappearance of the task to which these songs were intended has led forgotten, as has
happened with the silkworms industry; technological advances and field machining processes
have contributed to the loss of such musical repertoire, as has influenced the deep
transformation of the way of life and customs of rural society and the garden. Neglected old
melodies, have continued in use in the work songs from other groups of traditional repertoire
and tunes imported from elsewhere. In this process of disappearance, the media and
communication, especially radio and television, have influenced very negatively.
Fortunately, popular music collections saved part of this repertoire.
This is an example of the remaining songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74U3ggKtYfA
Consequently, we have decided to send you this example of popular song dedicated to
pastoral work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqHek3YnmQg

2. Letras (lyrics)
Estaba una pastora
Canción infantil
(Spanish)
Estaba una pastora,
larán, larán, larito,
estaba una pastora
cuidando un rebañito.
Con leche de sus cabras,
larán, larán, larito,
con leche de sus cabras,
mandó hacer un quesito.
El gato la miraba,
larán, larán, larito,
el gato la miraba,
con ojos golositos.
Si tú me hincas la uña, (1)
larán, larán, larito,
si tú me hincas la uña,
te cortaré el rabito
La uña se la hincó,
larán, larán, larito,
la uña se la hincó,
y el rabo le cortó.
A confesar la falta,
larán, larán, larito,
a confesar la falta,
se fue al padre Benito.
A vos padre me acuso, (2)
larán, larán, larito,
a vos padre me acuso,
que he matado un gatito.
De penitencia te echo, (3)
larán, larán, larito,
de penitencia te echo,
que me des un besito.
El beso se lo dio, (4)
larán, larán, larito,
el beso se lo dio,
y el cuento se acabó.
There Was a Shepherdess
Children's Song
(English)
There was a shepherdess,
Laran, laran, larito,
There was a shepherdess
Watching her little flock.
With her goats' milk,
Laran, laran , larito,
With her goats' milk
She had a cheese made.
The cat was watching her,
Laran, laran, larito,
The cat was watching her
With greedy eyes.
If you scratch me,
Laran, laran, larito,
If you scratch me,
I'll cut your little tail.
It scratched her,
Laran, laran, larito,
It scratched her
And she cut its tail.
To confess her sin,
Laran, laran, larito,
To confess her sin
She went to see Father Benedict.
To you, father, I confess,
Laran, laran, larito,
To you father, I confess
To have killed a little cat.
For penance I give you,
Laran, laran, larito,
For penance I sentence you

3. To give me a kiss.
She gave him the kiss,
Laran, laran, larito,
She gave him the kiss
And the tale is over.