Mariachi Lyrics Archive
Himno Nacional Mexicano
Born in 1853 from invasion, sacrifice, and defiant poetry, Mexico's National Anthem promised a soldier in every son and a grave of honor for the fallen. Mariachi has carried those words ever since.
About the Song
El Himno Nacional Mexicano was written in 1853, with lyrics by poet Francisco González Bocanegra and music composed by Jaime Nunó, a Catalan-born musician who won a national competition to set the words to music. Mexico had struggled through decades of war, foreign invasion, and political upheaval, and the anthem was born from that crucible — a nation asserting its identity in defiant, soaring verse. It was officially adopted on September 16, 1854, Mexico's Independence Day. Though not a mariachi composition, the anthem has always lived alongside mariachi culture — performed at civic ceremonies, Independence Day celebrations, and sporting events where mariachi ensembles frequently precede or follow it. It is the sonic declaration of everything mariachi was born to celebrate: a people, a land, and an unbreakable sense of belonging.
Meaning of the Song
El Himno Nacional doesn't whisper — it shakes the Earth and says so out loud. This is a song written for a nation that had already bled, that knew what foreign boots on its soil felt like, and that answered with cannon fire set to poetry. The olive branch and the sword live in the same verse here, peace and war breathing together, because Mexico in 1853 could not afford to choose only one. Every son a soldier. Every grave an honor. The bugle calls and they go — not blindly, but with full knowledge of the cost. What makes this anthem remarkable is its refusal to be only triumphant. There is grief folded into the glory, sacrifice woven into every laurel. When mariachi strings swell beneath these words at dawn on September 16th, an entire nation remembers — not just what it has won, but what it was willing to lose.
Watch the Song
Lyrics / Letra
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
el acero aprestad y el bridón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
Ciña ¡Oh Patria! tus sienes de oliva
de la paz el arcángel divino,
y 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 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 cañón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
¡Patria! ¡Patria! tus hijos te juran
Exhalar en tus aras su aliento,
y el clarín con su bélico acento
los convoca a lidiar con valor.
¡Para ti las guirnaldas de olivas!
¡Y un recuerdo para ellos de gloria!
¡Un laurel para ti de victoria!
¡Y un sepulcro para ellos de honor!
¡Y 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 cañón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
el acero aprestad y el bridón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
Ciña ¡Oh Patria! tus sienes de oliva
de la paz el arcángel divino,
y 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 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 cañón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
¡Patria! ¡Patria! tus hijos te juran
Exhalar en tus aras su aliento,
y el clarín con su bélico acento
los convoca a lidiar con valor.
¡Para ti las guirnaldas de olivas!
¡Y un recuerdo para ellos de gloria!
¡Un laurel para ti de victoria!
¡Y un sepulcro para ellos de honor!
¡Y 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 cañón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
English Translation
Mexicans, at the cry of war
Ready your steel and your bridle.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
May your temples be crowned with olive branches
Oh Homeland, by the divine archangel of peace,
And in the heavens your eternal destiny
Was written by the finger of God.
But should a foreign enemy dare
To profane your soil with his foot,
Know, oh beloved Homeland, that heaven
Gave you a soldier in every son.
Gave you a soldier in every son.
Mexicans, at the cry of war
Ready your steel and your bridle.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
Homeland! Homeland! Your children swear
To breathe their last in your honor,
And the bugle with its warlike accent
Calls them to fight with valor.
For you the garlands of olive branches!
And for them a memory of glory!
A laurel of victory for you!
And a grave of honor for them!
And a grave of honor for them!
Mexicans, at the cry of war
Ready your steel and your bridle.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
Ready your steel and your bridle.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
May your temples be crowned with olive branches
Oh Homeland, by the divine archangel of peace,
And in the heavens your eternal destiny
Was written by the finger of God.
But should a foreign enemy dare
To profane your soil with his foot,
Know, oh beloved Homeland, that heaven
Gave you a soldier in every son.
Gave you a soldier in every son.
Mexicans, at the cry of war
Ready your steel and your bridle.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
Homeland! Homeland! Your children swear
To breathe their last in your honor,
And the bugle with its warlike accent
Calls them to fight with valor.
For you the garlands of olive branches!
And for them a memory of glory!
A laurel of victory for you!
And a grave of honor for them!
And a grave of honor for them!
Mexicans, at the cry of war
Ready your steel and your bridle.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
And let the Earth tremble at its core
At the resounding roar of the cannon.
Meet Mariachi Los Muertos™
Mariachi Los Muertos™ transforms classic mariachi songs into a collection of vivid characters. Each character in the Mariachi Los Muertos™ group has been developed to embody the spirit of traditional Mexican mariachi songs.
Inspired by the titles and themes of beloved songs, these characters bring to life the rich cultural tapestry of Mexico in a colorful and imaginative way.
Meet Himno Nacional
Birthplace: Ciudad de México, México
Band Position: Trompetas
Favorite Food: Frijoles charros
Horoscope: Virgo
Band Position: Trompetas
Favorite Food: Frijoles charros
Horoscope: Virgo
Meet "El Himno Nacional," the proud and precise trumpet player from Ciudad de México! As a true Virgo, he’s all about perfection and tradition, with a deep love for frijoles charros to fuel his powerful performances.
"El Himno Nacional" brings grandeur to his trumpet playing. His notes are bold and commanding, carrying the spirit of a nation with every blast. On stage, he’s inspiring and a bit intimidating—because when you’re the musical embodiment of Mexican pride, you don’t mess around.
Off stage, he’s a stickler for details, reminding his bandmates to stand tall and respect the rhythm. With his dedication and impeccable skill, "El Himno Nacional" ensures every performance by Mariachi Los Muertos is a tribute to Mexican pride.
"El Himno Nacional" brings grandeur to his trumpet playing. His notes are bold and commanding, carrying the spirit of a nation with every blast. On stage, he’s inspiring and a bit intimidating—because when you’re the musical embodiment of Mexican pride, you don’t mess around.
Off stage, he’s a stickler for details, reminding his bandmates to stand tall and respect the rhythm. With his dedication and impeccable skill, "El Himno Nacional" ensures every performance by Mariachi Los Muertos is a tribute to Mexican pride.
