Aserrín, Aserrán

“Aserrín, Aserrán” is a Spanish children's rhyme that keeps time with a back-and-forth movement. This short version was collected in El Viso del Alcor, in Seville province. The CSIC Traditional Music Archive records it as a song for a swing; the rhythm also works as a seated rocking game.

What does Aserrín, Aserrán mean?

Say aserrín, aserrán roughly as ah-seh-RREEN, ah-seh-RRAHN, with stress on the last syllable and a rolled rr. Aserrín means sawdust, and the two words together suggest the repeated motion of sawing. Maderos are pieces of timber, and San Juan is Saint John. The line about coming and going fits the movement; this short version does not name or address the child playing.

How do you play?

Rock a little forward and back to the beat while seated, or have children sway from side to side on their own. For a lap version, support the child and keep the movement small and steady. Some other versions add rhyming pairs about food, but the short El Viso del Alcor text loops straight back to the opening.