De Colores

"De colores" ([Made] of Colors) is a traditional Spanish language folk song that is well known throughout the Spanish-speaking world. It is widely used in the Catholic Cursillo movement and related communities such as the Great Banquet, Chrysalis Flight, Tres Días, Walk to Emmaus, and Kairos Prison Ministry. The song is also associated with the United Farm Workers union, as one of the most commonly heard songs during rallies. History and origins of the song Though the song is associated with Mexican folklore, it is not known for certain when and where it originated. It is believed to have been in circulation throughout the Americas since the 16th century, with melodies brought over from Spain during the colonial era. Some modern lyrics are widely understood to have been created by a group of Cursillo participants in Majorca, Spain, after one of the earliest Cursillo retreats in the 1940s. Today, in addition to being used as the unofficial anthem of the Farm Worker Movement and as an inspirational song in Cursillo workshops, the song is often taught in schools in the United States—from elementary school to community colleges—as an example of a common Mexican folk song. It frequently appears in collections of children's songs.