'La Llorona': A Spooky Folk Song With Many Lives

Just about everyone of a certain age who grew up in a Latinx household can attest to the power of the tale of La Llorona as a disciplinary tool at bedtime. "You better go to sleep or La Llorona will come into your room and take you away!" is what many of us heard as we hid our heads under the covers.

The tale has an old folk song that goes along with it, and what better musical backdrop for NPR's The Salt's presentation of Día de los Muertos? (Tune in around 1 p.m. ET on NPR's Facebook page to watch.)

So here is a list — by no means definitive — of some favorite versions of "La Llorona," and even a few surprising renditions. Warning: Do not listen to this playlist at night. With the wind blowing. And with creepy noises just outside your window.

Just sayin'.

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1 of 12  — Frida.

Frida.

/ Courtesy of the artist

2 of 12  — Lola Beltran.

Lola Beltran.

/ Courtesy of the artist

3 of 12  — El Jinete.

El Jinete.

/ Courtesy of the artist

4 of 12  — Lila Downs

Lila Downs

/ Courtesy of the artist

5 of 12  — Bimexicano.

Bimexicano.

/ Courtesy of the artist

6 of 12  — De Tierra y Oro

De Tierra y Oro

/ Courtesy of the artist

7 of 12  — Mariachi Flor de Toloache.

Mariachi Flor de Toloache.

/ Courtesy of the artist

8 of 12  — Magos y Limon

Magos y Limon

/ Courtesy of the artist

9 of 12  — Charles Lloyd

Charles Lloyd

/ Courtesy of the artist

10 of 12  — Dracula Boots.

Dracula Boots.

/ Courtesy of the artist

11 of 12  — Caifanes

Caifanes

/ Courtesy of the artist

12 of 12  — Francisco Javier Lledías

Francisco Javier Lledías

/ Courtesy of the artist