The Mexican National Anthem, officially known as El Himno Nacional Mexicano, is a powerful and evocative song that resonates deeply with Mexican patriotism and history. Hearing thousands of voices rise together to sing these stirring mexican anthem lyrics is an unforgettable experience, particularly on the eve of Mexican Independence Day in Mexico City’s Zócalo. Penned in 1853 by poet Francisco González Bocanegra, the anthem wasn’t officially adopted until nearly a century later, becoming a cornerstone of Mexican national identity. Originally featuring ten verses and a chorus, today’s rendition typically includes the chorus and four selected stanzas, with the chorus repeated after each stanza and at the song’s conclusion.
| Estribillo (Chorus): | Chorus: |
|---|---|
| Mexicanos, al grito de guerra | Mexicans, when the war cry is heard, |
| El acero aprestad y el bridón, | Have sword and bridle ready. |
| Y retiemble en sus centros la tierra | Let the earth’s foundations tremble |
| Al sonoro rugir del cañón. | At the loud cannon’s roar. |
| Estrofa 1 (Stanza 1): | Stanza 1: |
|---|---|
| ¡Ciña ¡oh Patria! tus sienes de oliva | May the divine archangel crown your brow, |
| De la paz el arcángel divino, | Oh fatherland, with an olive branch of peace, |
| Que en el cielo tu eterno destino, | For your eternal destiny has been written |
| Por el dedo de Dios se escribió; | In heaven by the finger of God. |
| Mas si osare un extraño enemigo, | But should a foreign enemy |
| Profanar con su planta tu suelo, | Dare to profane your soil with his tread, |
| Piensa ¡oh Patria querida! que el cielo | Know, beloved fatherland, that heaven gave you |
| Un soldado en cada hijo te dio. | A soldier in each of your sons. |
| Estrofa 2 (Stanza 2): | Stanza 2: |
|---|---|
| ¡Guerra, guerra sin tregua al que intente | War, war without truce against who would attempt |
| De la patria manchar los blasones! | To blemish the honor of the fatherland! |
| ¡Guerra, guerra! Los patrios pendones | War, war! The patriotic banners |
| En las olas de sangre empapad. | Saturate in waves of blood. |
| ¡Guerra, guerra! En el monte, en el valle | War, war! On the mount, in the vale |
| Los cañones horrisonos truenen | The terrifying cannon thunder |
| Y los ecos sonoros resuenen | And the echoes nobly resound |
| Con las voces de ¡Unión! ¡Libertad! | To the cries of union! liberty! |
| Estrofa 3 (Stanza 3): | Stanza 3: |
|---|---|
| Antes, patria, que inermes tus hijos | Fatherland, before your children become unarmed |
| Bajo el yugo su cuello dobleguen, | Beneath the yoke their necks in sway, |
| Tus campiñas con sangre se rieguen, | May your countryside be watered with blood, |
| Sobre sangre se estampe su pie. | On blood their feet trample. |
| Y tus templos, palacios y torres | And may your temples, palaces and towers |
| Se derrumben con hórido estruendo, | Crumble in horrid crash, |
| Y sus ruinas existan diciendo: | And their ruins exist saying: |
| De mil héroes la patria aquí fue. | The fatherland was made of one thousand heroes here. |
| Estrofa 4 (Stanza 4): | Stanza 4: |
|---|---|
| ¡Patria! ¡Patria! tus hijos te juran | Fatherland, oh fatherland, your sons vow |
| Exhalar en tus aras su aliento, | To give their last breath on your altars, |
| Si el clarín con su bélico acento, | If the trumpet with its warlike sound |
| Los convoca a lidiar con valor: | Calls them to valiant battle. |
| ¡Para ti las guirnaldas de oliva! | For you, the olive garlands, |
| ¡Un recuerdo para ellos de gloria! | For them, a glorious memory. |
| ¡Un laurel para ti de victoria! | For you, the victory laurels, |
| ¡Un sepulcro para ellos de honor! | For them, an honored tomb. |
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These mexican anthem lyrics are a powerful testament to Mexican patriotism, invoking themes of defense of the homeland, valor in the face of adversity, and the unwavering spirit of the Mexican people. The chorus, a call to arms, immediately sets a tone of readiness and strength. Stanza 1 speaks to Mexico’s divine destiny and the courage of its citizens to defend their land against any foreign threat. Stanza 2 intensifies the call to war, emphasizing the defense of national honor and the fight for union and liberty. Stanza 3 expresses a fierce determination, stating a preference for national destruction over submission to foreign rule. Finally, Stanza 4 is a solemn vow of sacrifice and valor, promising glory for the nation and honor for those who defend it. Understanding the mexican anthem lyrics provides a deeper appreciation for Mexican culture and the historical struggles that have shaped the nation.
