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Some sources list this song as originating in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Latin America. There are slightly different versions from Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Lyrics - Spanish

(Folk song)

1. Ambos a dos, matarile, rile, rile,
Ambos a dos, matarile, rile, ron.

2. ¿Qué quiere usted? matarile, rile, rile
¿Qué quiere usted? matarile, rile, ron.

3. Yo quiero un page, matarile, rile, rile
Yo quiero un page, matarile, rile, ron.

4. Escoja usted, matarile, rile, rile
Escoja usted, matarile, rile, ron.

5. Escojo a [nombre], matarile, rile, rile
Escojo a [nombre], matarile, rile, ron.

6. ¿Qué oficio le pondréis? matarile, rile, rile
¿Qué oficio le pondréis? matarile, rile, ron.

7. Le pondremos carpintero, matarile, rile, rile
Le pondremos carpintero, matarile, rile, ron.

8. Ese oficio no le gusta, matarile, rile, rile
Ese oficio no le gusta, matarile, rile, ron.

9. Le pondremos zapatero, matarile, rile, rile
Le pondremos zapatero, matarile, rile, ron.

10. Ese oficio sí le gusta, matarile, rile, rile
Ese oficio sí le gusta, matarile, rile, ron.

11. Celebremos todos juntos, matarile, rile, rile
Celebremos todos juntos, matarile, rile, ron.

English Translation – Two By Two

1. Two by two, matarile, rile, rile*
Two by two, matarile, rile, ron.

2. What do you want? …

3. I want a page …

4. You choose …

5. I choose [name] …

6. What job will you give them? …

7. We will call them a carpenter …

8. They does not like that job …

9. We will call them a shoe maker …

10. They like that job …

11. Let’s all celebrate together, …

*matarile, rile, ron = no meaning

Game

Formation: Students stand in a line holding hands. Two other students are the Leaders, who face the line of students.

Each line of students will take turns singing. As they sing, they walk forward and back while holding hands. All students sing “matarile, rile, rile” and “matarile, rile, ron.”

  1. Leaders sing.
  2. Other students sing.
  3. Leaders sing.
  4. Other students sing.
  5. Leaders decide which student to name, then sing.
  6. Other students sing.
  7. Leaders decide which job to give, then sing.
  8. If the student doesn’t like the job, the student sings verse 8 with the other students.
  9. Leaders decide on another job and sing verse 9. If the student doesn’t like that job either, the leaders have to keep naming different occupations until the student approves.
  10. If the student likes the job, the student sings verse 10.
  11. Once the job is approved, all students join hands and form a circle while singing verse 11. Someone in the line becomes the next Leader, who can choose another student to lead also. The game starts over.
    (source) (source)

Recorder Notes G, A, B, C, D’

See also

YouTube

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody

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