Song Lyrics for Elefantes ("Un Elefante Se Balanceaba" or One Elephant Was Bouncing)

Imagine elephants balancing on a spider web! That's the fun, silly image at the heart of "Un Elefante Se Balanceaba," a Spanish-language children's song. This catchy tune isn't just about counting higher and higher with more and more elephants; it's a beloved classic for many families that helps teach numbers, language, and even a bit of grammar. Let's explore the history, cultural charm and educational value of this delightful song.

Un elefante se balanceaba Sobre la tela de una araña Como veía que resistía Fue a llamar a otro elefante.

Dos elefantes se balanceaban Sobre la tela de una araña Como veían que resistía Fueron a llamar a otro elefante.

Tres elefantes se balanceaban Sobre la tela de una araña Como veían que resistía Fueron a llamar a otro elefante.

Cuatro elefantes se balanceaban Sobre la tela de una araña Como veían que resistía Fueron a llamar a otro elefante.

Cinco elefantes se balanceaban Sobre la tela de una araña Como veían que resistía Fueron a llamar a otro elefante.

The origins of "Elefantes"

"Un Elefante Se Balanceaba" (One Elephant Was Balancing) is a traditional Spanish children's song with origins in oral tradition. Also known as "Los Elefantes," "Elefantes Que Se Balanceaban," or simply "Elefantes," this counting song is popular throughout Spain, Mexico, and Latin America. Its exact origins are unclear, but it has been passed down through generations, becoming a standard in Spanish-language children's music.

The song follows a cumulative structure, adding one elephant with each verse until reaching a number determined by the singers' patience or enthusiasm. While five verses are common for young children, the song can continue to ten, twenty, or even higher numbers for older children practicing counting skills. The inherent absurdity of the image—increasingly large numbers of elephants balancing on a delicate spider web—adds to the song's appeal and memorability.

The melody is simple and repetitive, making it accessible even to very young children. The only changes from verse to verse are the number of elephants and the corresponding verb conjugation (from singular to plural after the first verse), creating an excellent tool for teaching both counting and basic grammar concepts.

Cultural significance

"Elefantes" serves multiple educational purposes. Most obviously, it teaches cardinal numbers in Spanish through repetition and progressive counting. The song also reinforces verb conjugation, as "se balanceaba" (singular) changes to "se balanceaban" (plural) after the first elephant, introducing the concept of subject-verb agreement.

For Spanish language learners, the song provides accessible vocabulary practice. Key words like "elefante" (elephant), "araña" (spider), "tela" (web), "balanceaban" (were balancing), and "resistía" (it resisted) are repeated regularly, cementing them in memory through the catchy melody.

The song's cultural significance extends beyond language learning. For many Hispanic families, "Elefantes" represents a shared cultural touchstone that connects generations. Grandparents sing it to grandchildren just as they heard it in their own childhood, creating continuity of tradition despite geographic distances or cultural changes. In language classrooms worldwide, it serves as an accessible introduction to Spanish-language children's culture.

This article was crafted with the assistance of an AI language model. The final content was reviewed and edited by a human and reflects the editorial judgment and expertise of  Today's Parent.