Cantes Camperos

“Cantes camperos” is a singing style which is inspired by work songs which were sung while people plowed the fields. They are part of Andalusian folklore, which singers such as Bernardo el de los Lobitos, integrated in their flamenco repertoire. They were also included in "Antología de Cante Flamenco" (Hispavox, 1954). They were sung in Cordoba fields and spreaded to Jaen and Granada. This is not exclusively an Andalusian singing but it should be considered as a form of “toná”. “Trillera”, “Arriera” or "Aceitunera” were some examples of these singings. These are also known as "cantes de faena" (work singings).

 

They are free singings like "tonás", in other words, they don't need any accompaniment or specific metric. It admits three tones: "frigio andaluz", "high tones" and "low tones". Lyrics are composed by "seguidillas" (7-5-7-5). Depending on the context, we can find different types of "cantes camperos":

 

• "Cantes de trilla" was interpreted when threshing tasks were done. It is also known as “trillera”. One of the main reenactors of this style was Bernardo "el de los Lobitos". His version led him to join the corpus of flamenco singing since it was included in 1954 in the first recorded flamenco anthology.
• "Cante de siega". It was played during mowing tasks. One of the most important singers was Fernando de la Morena from Jerez.
• "Arrieras". This belongs to "cantes de trilla", but with a particular tune.
• “Aceituneras". Rural singing during the olive harvest in Jaen.
• "Pajaronas de Bujalance". One of the most popular country singings.