Languages › Spanish The Mexican National Anthem Himno Nacional Mexicano Print La bandera mexicana. (The Mexican flag.). Photo by Alvaro_qc; licensed via Creative Commons. Spanish History & Culture Pronunciation Vocabulary Writing Skills Grammar By Gerald Erichsen Gerald Erichsen Spanish Language Expert B.A., Seattle Pacific University Gerald Erichsen is a Spanish language expert who has created Spanish lessons for ThoughtCo since 1998. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on January 21, 2020 One of the most impressive choral performances I've heard was when I was part of a crowd of hundreds of thousands one Sept. 15, the eve of Mexico's Independence Day, on Mexico City's main plaza, known as the Zócalo. Late in the night, the crowd sang this song, the Mexican National Anthem, known officially as el Himno Nacional Mexicano. Read More Spanish National Anthem By Gerald Erichsen The anthem was written in 1853 by poet Francisco González Bocanegra, although it didn't become official until nearly a century later. It was originally written with 10 verses and a chorus, although only four verses are typically sung. The anthem is usually sung starting with a chorus followed by the four stanzas, with the chorus sung between each stanza and at the end. Estribillo: Mexicanos, al grito de guerraEl acero aprestad y el bridón,Y retiemble en sus centros la tierraAl sonoro rugir del cañón. Chorus: Mexicans, when the war cry is heard,Have sword and bridle ready.Let the earth's foundations trembleAt the loud cannon's roar. Estrofa 1: Ciña ¡oh Patria! tus sienes de olivaDe la paz el arcángel divino,Que en el cielo tu eterno destino,Por el dedo de Dios se escribió;Mas si osare un extraño enemigo,Profanar con su planta tu suelo,Piensa ¡oh Patria querida! que el cieloUn soldado en cada hijo te dio. Stanza 1: May the divine archangel crown your brow,Oh fatherland, with an olive branch of peace,For your eternal destiny has been writtenIn heaven by the finger of God.But should a foreign enemyDare to profane your soil with his tread,Know, beloved fatherland, that heaven gave youA soldier in each of your sons. Estrofa 2: Guerra, guerra sin tregua al que intente¡De la patria manchar los blasones!¡Guerra, guerra! Los patrios pendonesEn las olas de sangre empapad.¡Guerra, guerra! En el monte, en el valleLos cañones horrísonos truenenY los ecos sonoros resuenenCon las voces de ¡Unión! ¡Libertad! Stanza 2: War, war without truce against who would attemptto blemish the honor of the fatherland!War, war! The patriotic bannerssaturate in waves of blood.War, war! On the mount, in the valeThe terrifying cannon thunderand the echoes nobly resoundto the cries of union! liberty! Estrofa 3: Antes, patria,que inermes tus hijosBajo el yugo su cuello dobleguen,Tus campiñas con sangre se rieguen,Sobre sangre se estampe su pie.Y tus templos, palacios y torresSe derrumben con hórrido estruendo,Y sus ruinas existan diciendo:De mil héroes la patria aquí fue. Stanza 2: Fatherland, before your children become unarmedBeneath the yoke their necks in sway,May your countryside be watered with blood,On blood their feet trample.And may your temples, palaces and towerscrumble in horrid crash,and their ruins exist saying:The fatherland was made of one thousand heroes here. Estrofa 4: ¡Patria! ¡Patria! tus hijos te juranExhalar en tus aras su aliento,Si el clarín con su bélico acento,Los convoca a lidiar con valor:¡Para ti las guirnaldas de oliva!¡Un recuerdo para ellos de gloria!¡Un laurel para ti de victoria!¡Un sepulcro para ellos de honor! Stanza 4: Fatherland, oh fatherland, your sons vowTo give their last breath on your altars,If the trumpet with its warlike soundCalls them to valiant battle.For you, the olive garlands,For them, a glorious memory.For you, the victory laurels,For them, an honored tomb. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Erichsen, Gerald. "The Mexican National Anthem." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/the-mexican-national-anthem-3079422. Erichsen, Gerald. (2023, April 5). The Mexican National Anthem. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-mexican-national-anthem-3079422 Erichsen, Gerald. "The Mexican National Anthem." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-mexican-national-anthem-3079422 (accessed March 29, 2024). copy citation By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies