Mexico’s Bicentennial Celebration of the 1810 declaration of independence from Spain is less than two weeks away…here is the first of our special Bicentennial moments…your chance to learn a little more about this grand land and the annual Fiestas Patrias (Patriotic Festivals) which culminate on September 15 and 16.
This Independence Day display says it all. Included are the flag of the country, the cactus, eagle and snake that comprise the national emblem, and Father Miguel Hidalgo, the father of Mexico's fight for independence.
On September 15, the anniversary of Father Hidalgo’s cry for freedom, local officials appear on the balconies of public buildings from all over Mexico to celebrate Mexico's independence from Spain. Students present the Mexican flag before the singing of the country's hymn in Ajijic.
Most foreigners living in Mexico are anxious to learn all about their adopted home country. We sample the red, white and green Salsa Mexicana (which is called pico del gallo north of the border) , decide we prefer refried beans with our scrambled eggs, tipple a few margaritas, learn to order lunch in Spanish, and begin to crave chiles.
As we learn, we've unlocked enough of the culture to know why the waiter doesn't bring our check until we ask. Who would have guessed that to suggest that we, their guests should leave before we're ready is just too rude to imagine.
Sometimes the best way to understand the similarities and differences in this new life is by examining them in a framework familiar to us—our own native language. I've worked hard for 20 years to learn Spanish. I can converse with most Mexicans now, about most subjects, most of the time. I read Spanish well enough to garner research information and I can understand the gist of songs on the car radio—until it comes to complicated lyrics and plays on words.
Without a translation I knew the Mexican National Anthem was a stirring song of patriotism—I could read that in the serious faces of my friends and neighbors who sing the song at the plaza every September 15 during the annual 11 p.m. ceremony recalling the call to war against the Spanish.
Still, I missed many of the poetic patriotic phrases and most importantly, the song's heart and soul. That's not surprising, most older songs—American and Mexican—are studded with antiquated language and symbolism. Hector del Muro, editor of Lakeside's weekly Spanish newspaper, El Charal, explained (in Spanish for Mexican readers) some of the Mexican hymn's dated and obscure references in a 2004 Independence Day column.
He explained that the Mexican National Anthem is called the hymn of the people, because it, like the country's freedom came from the people. Two competitions were held in the mid-1850s to choose the words and music of the country's song. The lyrics of a San Luis Potosí man, Francisco González Bocanegra, won the first contest. A competition to determine the best musical score for the words garnered only 15 entries. The winning composer Jaime Nunó was born in Spain just after the War of Independence.
You’ll hear the national anthem when you attend this year’s Bicentennial Grito. Stand proud with millions of Mexicans, their hands over their hearts for the presentation of the Mexican flag, the singing of the country’s national anthem and the following call to arms that roused the farmers of Guanajuato to begin the march against the Spainish.
While the center of Ajijic and Chapala and all the other Mexican towns and villages are packed with people, it's always a happy crowd that gathers to celebrate independence. Join in the fun this year—come to the plaza for the fireworks and other events.
We hope you'll print these words so you can sing along with your neighbors and friends at the Grito in the Ajijic plaza or in front of the municipal buildings in Chapala and Jocotepec. The entertainment, with music, song and dancing beings early in the evening of September 15 and then concludes with the presentation of the flag, the singing of the Mexican National Anthem, a patriotic remembrance of Father Miguel Hidalgo's call to war, followed by triumphant fireworks.
El Himno Nacional de Estados Unidos de Mexíco
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
El acero aprestad y el bridón;
Y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañon.
Y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañon.
Ciña oh patria tus sienes de oliva
De la paz el arcángel divino,
Que en el cielo tu eterno destino
Por el dedo de Dios se escribió.
Más si osare un extraño enemigo
Profanar con su planta tu suelo,
Piensa, o patria querida, que el cielo
Un soldado en cada hijo te dio.
Un soldado en cada hijo te dio.
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
El acero aprestad y el bridón;
Y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañon.
Y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañon.
Patria! patria! Tus hijos te juran
Exhalar 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!
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
El acero aprestad y el bridón;
Y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañon.
Y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañon.
The following English translation is not written in a rhythmic form to be sung, but it does provide a good sense of the song's meaning:
The Mexican National Anthem
Mexicans, at the cry of battle
Take up your swords and bridles;
And let the earth tremble at its center
At the cannon's resounding roar.
And let the earth tremble at its center
At the cannon's resounding roar.
Oh Fatherland, your forehead shall be girded with olive branches,
Placed there by the divine archangel of peace,
For in Heaven your eternal destiny
Has been written by the hand of God.
But should a foreign enemy dare
To profane your land with his foot,
Think, beloved fatherland, that Heaven
Gave you a soldier in each son.
Gave you a soldier in each son.
Mexicans, at the cry of battle
Take up your swords and bridles;
And let the earth tremble at its center
At the cannon's resounding roar.
And let the earth tremble at its center
At the cannon's resounding roar.
Fatherland, Fatherland, your children swear
With every breath your cause,
Should the bugle in battle song
call upon them to fight bravely.
For you the olive garlands!
For them a memory of glory!
For you a laurel of victory!
For them a tomb of honor!
For them a tomb of honor!
Mexicans, at the cry of battle
Take up your swords and bridles;
And let the earth tremble at its center
At the cannon's resounding roar.
And let the earth tremble at its center
At the cannon's resounding roar.
—Translated by James Tipton
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