Say Ay Ya Yai

@RasmaSandra (88906)
Daytona Beach, Florida
September 14, 2025 3:21pm CST
When Mexican and Spanish words flooded into the English language, people realized something was going wrong or things were not working out; they would say ay ya yai." A song titled Cielito Lindo became a popular Mexican song in 1882. It had a lovely tune, and the words ay ay ay became a wonderful chorus. The song was written by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés and was so well known and loved that a bust erected to his memory includes some of the words of the song. Cielito Lindo became popular with mariachi bands, and many artists have recorded it in both English and Spanish. The song tells the story of the Sierra Morena, a mountain range in Spain. It also became the unofficial anthem of Mexico. What do you think of the song? Would it not be better to say "ay ya yai" when things don’t go as they should instead of using four-letter words and getting into an angry funk? I chose a mariachi one not in English.
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6 people like this
5 responses
@JudyEv (362882)
• Rockingham, Australia
2h
I remember 'ay ya yai' being said quite a lot in a very funny film called The Gods Must Be Crazy.
@Deepizzaguy (114035)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4h
I remember that song sung a lot in Mexican comedy shows a lot.
@AmbiePam (102881)
• United States
6h
At my previous church growing up, a lady from Mexico would frequently say that. The song is infectious!
@celticeagle (179680)
• Boise, Idaho
4h
They have great beat to them. Yes, I do agree. "ay ya yai" instead of the idiocy of nasty works and anger. If only good women were in office.
@crossbones27 (51180)
• Mojave, California
6h
I always liked the music, but the thing was so many songs sound the same. \ts what America is \struggling with now , you know why so many love American music, it so different on the spectrum. No one has ever heard it. In old days, now American music sounds more like typical Mexican or Spanish songs, Just my observation, maybe some one can educate me.