"Señor Don Gato" is a children's song about a
cat
The cat (''Felis catus'') is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is commonly referred to as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from the wild members of ...
who is sitting on a roof reading a letter from his true love who has agreed to marry him. In his excitement, he falls off and injures himself. The veterinarian is unable to save him and he dies. However, as his funeral procession passes through the market, the scent of fish from the market is so strong that he returns to life.
This English version, by Margaret Marks, is familiar to generations of school-age children in North America due to its inclusion in ''Making Music Your Own,'' Grade 3 (copyright 1964 by the Silver Burdett Company). The lyrics are loosely translated from the traditional Spanish song "Estaba el señor Don Gato", but the melody is from a different song, "Ahora Que Vamos Despacio". There is also a French version of "Estaba el señor Don Gato" called "Monsieur le Chat".
Lyrics
Oh, Señor Don Gato was a cat,
On a high red roof Don Gato sat.
He went there to read a letter, Meow, meow, meow
Where the reading light was better, Meow, meow, meow
It was a love note for Don Gato.
"I adore you," wrote the lady cat
Who was fluffy, white, and nice and fat.
There was not a sweeter kitty, Meow, meow, meow
In the country or the city, Meow, meow, meow
And she said she'd wed Don Gato.
Oh, Don Gato jumped so happily,
He fell off the roof and broke his knee.
Broke his ribs and all his whiskers, Meow, meow, meow
And his little solar plexus, Meow, meow, meow
"¡Ay caramba!" cried Don Gato.
Then the doctors all came on the run,
Just to see if something could be done.
And they held a consultation, Meow, meow, meow
About how to save their patient, Meow, meow, meow
How to save Señor Don Gato.
But in spite of everything they tried,
Poor Señor Don Gato up and died.
Oh it wasn't very merry, Meow, meow, meow
Going to the cemetery, Meow, meow, meow
For the ending of Don Gato.
As the funeral passed the market square,
Such a smell of fish was in the air.
Though the burial was slated, Meow, meow, meow
He became re-animated, Meow, meow, meow
He came back to life, Don Gato.
In popular culture
“Señor Don Gato” is sung in the film ''
The Loneliest Planet''.
A cat called "Señor Don Gato" appears in the video game ''
Neko Atsume
is a mobile cat-collecting game developed by Hit-Point Co., Ltd. for iOS and Android, released on October 20, 2014.
Gameplay
Gameplay revolves around the player purchasing food, cat toys, and furniture to attract a variety of cats to their ho ...
''.
A season 2 episode of ''
Call Me Kat
''Call Me Kat'' is an American television sitcom largely based on the British sitcom '' Miranda'' by Miranda Hart. The series is written by Darlene Hunt and stars Mayim Bialik in the title role, with Cheyenne Jackson, Kyla Pratt, Julian Gant, L ...
'' was called "Call me Senor Don Gato" (though the song was not featured in it).
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Senor Don Gato (Song)
Spanish children's songs
Songs about cats
Songs about marriage
Songs about death
Fictional cats