Mexican National Anthem

The national anthem of Mexico is known as Himno Nacional Mexicano in Spanish. It is also called “Mexicanos, al grito de guerra,” which translates to mean “Mexicans, at the cry of war.” The lyrics for the anthem were originally written in 1853 by Francisco Gonzalez Bocanegra as a result of a federal contest. These lyrics were based on historic battle victories in Mexico, as well as calls for continued defense of the country and national unity. Bocanegra approached Jaime Nuno to compose the music to accompany the lyrics, and the music was completed in 1854. It was during that same year that the song was adopted as the de facto national anthem and went into use.

The original song featured ten stanzas. However, like most other nations, Mexico has shortened this version to create the official national anthem. In 1943, it was designated that the chorus, 1st, 5th, 6th and 10th stanzas would make up the official national anthem. Some sporting events and TV and radio programs use an abridged version of the official anthem. The people of Mexico take the national anthem very seriously as it encourages national unity. Some describe the anthem as a symbol of “Mexican identity.” The government also takes the anthem quite seriously and will impose penalties such as fines when it is performed incorrectly.

Mexican National Anthem Lyrics

English Translation


Chorus
Mexicans, at the cry of war,
assemble the steel and the bridle,
and the Earth trembles to its core
to the resounding roar of the cannon.
and the Earth trembles to its core
to the resounding roar of the cannon!


First Stanza
Encircle Oh Motherland!, your temples with olives
Peace, by the divine archangel,
for in heaven lies your eternal destiny
which was written by the finger of God.
If, however, a foreign enemy would dare
to profane Your ground with their sole,
think, Oh beloved Motherland!, that Heaven
has given a soldier in every son.


Chorus


Stanza V
War, war! with no mercy to any who shall dare
to tarnish the coats of arms of the Motherland!
War, war! The national banners
Shall be drenched in waves of blood.
War, war! On the mountain, in the valley,
The cannons thunder in horrid unison
and the sonorous echoes resound
with bellows of Union! Liberty!


Chorus


Stanza VI
Stanza VI


O, Motherland, if however your children, defenseless
With their necks bent beneath the yoke,
May your fields be watered with blood,
May their footsteps be printed with blood.
And your temples, palaces and towers
Shall collapse with horrid clamor,
And your ruins continue on, whispering:
Of one thousand heroes, the Motherland once was.


Chorus


Stanza X
Motherland! Motherland! Your children assure
to breathe until their last for your sake,
if the bugle with its bellicose accent
calls them together to battle with courage.
For you, the olive wreaths!
For them, a reminder of glory!
For you, a laurel of victory!
For them, a tomb of honor!


Poetic English Transation


Chorus:
At the loud cry of war all assemble,
Then your swords and your steeds all prepare,
and the Earth to its center shall tremble
when the cannon's deep roar rends the air.
and the Earth to its center shall tremble
when the cannon's deep roar rends the air!


First Stanza
Oh my country entwine on thy temples
boughs of olive so fresh and so vernal,
when inscribed in the heavens eternal
blessed peace for all the land thou dost see.
But if stranger and foe in their boldness
dare to tread on thy soil, they must perish,
then, oh my country, this thought only cherish
every son is but a soldier for thee.

Mexican National Anthem