Sitsiritsit

Sitsiritsit, also known as Sitsiritsit Alibangbang, is a Filipino folk song. This humorous song describes a flirtatious woman threatening a storeowner that the ants are going to get him if he is not going to extend credit, as well as unusual situations of exchanging a child for a doll or bagoong. It is said to have originated during the country's Spanish colonization, as its lyrics suggest the ordinary life during that time. The melody of the song is about the same as Fly Fly the Butterfly.

Lyrics

Sitsiritsit, Alibangbang Salaginto't salagubang. Ang babae sa lansangan, Kung gumiri’y parang tandang.

Santo Niño sa Pandakan Puto seko sa tindahan. Kung ayaw kang magpautang Uubusin ka ng langgam

Mama, mama, namamangka, Pasakayin yaring bata Pagdating sa Maynila, Ipagpalit sa manika.

Ale, ale, namamayong, Pasukubin yaring sanggol Pagdating sa Malabon, Ipagpalit sa bagoong.

BY: Edwin Mamites Peace

Rough translation

Sitsiritsit, Alibangbang
Black, golden beetles
A woman on the street,
Sways her hips like a rooster.

Child Jesus of Pandacan,
Dry pastry on the store.
If you are not giving credits,
The ants will eat all your goodies.

Mister, Mister, rowing a boat,
Please take this child for a ride.
Once you reach Manila,
Trade the child for a doll.

Miss, Miss, holding an umbrella,
Please take this baby.
Once you reach Malabon,
Trade the baby for shrimp paste

Sitsiritsit, Alibangbang
Black, golden beetles
A woman on the street,
Sways her hips like a rooster.

Popular culture

• In the children's program Batibot, there are two alien puppets named Sitsiritsit and Alibangbang who love discovering new things, places, and people around them.^[1]
• In the 1920s, a jazzy version performed with a raspy voice by Vicente Ocampo was popularized on the Manila bodabil circuit.^[2]

References