Cuando la cumbia trae lluvia by Camilo Rojas & Juan Camilo Molina
This cumbia, inspired by the traditional gaita format from the Colombian Caribbean, reflects the hope for rain after a long drought. It symbolizes renewal and the opportunity for new beginnings. The lyrics highlight the vibrant animals and characters from Colombian carnivals, celebrating community, joy, and festivity.
This cumbia, inspired by the traditional gaita format from the Colombian Caribbean, reflects the hope for rain after a long drought. It symbolizes renewal and the opportunity for new beginnings. The lyrics highlight the vibrant animals and characters from Colombian carnivals, celebrating community, joy, and festivity.
This cumbia, inspired by the traditional gaita format from the Colombian Caribbean, reflects the hope for rain after a long drought. It symbolizes renewal and the opportunity for new beginnings. The lyrics highlight the vibrant animals and characters from Colombian carnivals, celebrating community, joy, and festivity.
“Excellently crafted and rooted in the traditional African, Indigenous, and European elements of Colombian cumbia, this piece is sure to make everyone want to stand up and move their hips! The beautiful harmonies and layered melodic lines evoke the Caribbean coast of Colombia and make this work accessible for singers of all levels. Cuando la Cumbia trae lluvia is a fantastic way to introduce Colombian folk music into your repertoire and will be loved by singers and audiences alike.”
Product Details
Recording
Transcription
Spanish
Cuando la cumbia trae lluvia
Cuando la tierra se baña
Y el colibrí pica flores
Y el hombre vuelve a cantar
El río llega hasta el mar
Y la lluvia al cafetal
La marimonda sale a bailar
Al carnaval
El río llega hasta el mar
Y la lluvia al cafetal
Que el viento sople mamá
Sin apagar la vela
English
When the cumbia brings rain
When the earth is bathed
And the hummingbird pollinates flowers
And man sings again
The river reaches the sea
And the rain to the coffee plantation
The marimonda goes out to dance
To the carnival
The river reaches the sea
And the rain to the coffee plantation
So that the wind blows, mama
Without blowing out the candle
Composition
Cuando la Cumbia Trae Lluvia is inspired by the traditional cumbia de gaita, a genre from Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The piece explores themes of nature, animals, and the everyday celebrations of the Colombian people.
The rhythm of the cumbia originated in Colombia, and has since made its way through the continent, finding new homes and unique styles in many countries that have made it their own from Argentina to Mexico. The cumbia de gaita reflects the origins of this pan american rhythm, that came to life as a mixture of African and indigenous Colombian musical traditions.
The cumbia percussion ensemble typically features three drums: the tambora, llamador, and alegre, along with maracas. Two gaitas (the gaita hembra which plays the melody and the gaita macho which accompanies harmonically) are added, which are flutes originally made of cactus or wood with a wax and quill mouthpiece. In this piece, rather than using traditional Colombian instruments, the rhythmic patterns are translated into a small vocal percussion ensemble that mimics the sounds of the drums. The vocal treatment is deeply influenced by the characteristic sonorities of traditional cumbias, evoking the festive and ancestral spirit of this music.
This piece was composed during a drought that later turned into a wildfire in the mountains near Bogotá, Colombia. It is a call for rain and imagines, with childlike wonder, the beautiful things that happen when the rain finally arrives. It speaks of hummingbirds, flowers, coffee plantations, rivers, and the sea— all part of Colombia’s rich landscape.
Cuando la Cumbia refers to an animal called a marimonda which is a humorous hybrid elephant and monkey character. People dressed up as marimondas can be found in the Atlantic coastal town of Barranquilla during the city’s famous Carnival. The colorful costume is known for its long nose and floppy ears. Unlike other characters from the Carnival, it was not born specifically from indigenous or african roots, but rather invented by the popular classes of Barranquilla. Its extravagant costume was an affordable way to satirize the wealthy and symbolize rebellion, and has nowadays become a symbol of the Carnival, transcending its original connotations.
For more information on how to teach and perform cumbia, go to our cumbia resources (coming soon).
Composers
Camilo Rojas is a conductor and composer from Bogotá, Colombia, whose work has been commissioned by organizations including the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Orfeón San Juan of Puerto Rico, and several award-winning short films. He has served as Chief Conductor of the Bogotá Philharmonic Choir and is the founder of the United Nations Choir in Bogotá. A frequent guest conductor at the BMTG Piano Competition in New York City, he has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, the National Opera Center, and Barge.
Juan Camilo Molina is a Colombian drummer, percussionist, composer, and educator. He has studied in Colombia, Cuba, and London, specializing in Latin American rhythms and performance practices. He has toured extensively across South, Central, and North America, as well as Europe, and has worked as a session drummer and musical director for several prominent Latin American artists. He is the founder of UMA Music Academy and remains active as a composer, drummer, and producer across a variety of projects.
Editors
Corie Brown & Marcela Molina are the co-editors of Brown Molina Choral Series with La Voz Publishing.
Born in Michigan, Dr. Brown (she/her) serves as Associate Professor of Choral Studies and Music Education at San José State University. She has taught in a variety of settings, including Colombia’s Fundación Nacional Batuta.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Dr. Molina (she/her) is the Artistic and Executive Director of the Tucson Girls Chorus and also serves as Director of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus. She has taught in young artist programs in both Colombia and the United States. Both Dr. Brown and Dr. Molina are active scholars and guest conductors nationally and internationally, serve on professional boards, and work together in their mission to publish and perform Latin American choral music with assurance and joy.
Publisher
La Voz Music Publishing