Mariachi Lyrics Archive
Los Reyes Magos
In the Spanish-speaking world, three Kings on camels bring the gifts. This centuries-old villancico is their joyful march — sung on the night of January 5th.
About the Song
"Ya Vienen Los Reyes Magos" is a traditional Spanish villancico (Christmas carol) celebrating the arrival of the Three Wise Men — Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar — for the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th (Día de Reyes). In Spain and much of Latin America, it is the Reyes Magos — not Santa Claus — who traditionally bring gifts to children. The carol belongs to the villancico tradition dating back to 15th-century Spain. The celebration includes elaborate parades (cabalgatas) on the evening of January 5th, children leaving food for the Kings' camels, and families sharing the Rosca de Reyes (a crown-shaped sweet bread) on the morning of the 6th. This tradition was brought to the Americas during Spanish colonization and remains the most important gift-giving holiday in Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and many Latin American countries.
Meaning of the Song
A joyful processional announcing that the Kings are on their way — loaded with toys, walking the road to Bethlehem. The "olé, olanda" refrains are nonsense syllables that give the song its infectious, marching energy, much like "fa la la" in English carols. The Virgin Mary walking alongside connects the Epiphany gift-giving tradition back to the Nativity itself. The song captures the specific excitement of January 5th eve — the anticipation of children who know that by morning, the Kings will have visited.
Lyrics / Letra
Ya vienen los Reyes Magos
Ya vienen los Reyes Magos
Caminito de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
Cargaditos de juguetes
Cargaditos de juguetes
Para el Niño de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
La Virgen va caminando
La Virgen va caminando
Caminito de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
Ya vienen los Reyes Magos
Ya vienen los Reyes Magos
Caminito de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
Cargaditos de juguetes
Cargaditos de juguetes
Para el Niño de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
La Virgen va caminando
La Virgen va caminando
Caminito de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
Ya vienen los Reyes Magos
Caminito de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
Cargaditos de juguetes
Cargaditos de juguetes
Para el Niño de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
La Virgen va caminando
La Virgen va caminando
Caminito de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
Ya vienen los Reyes Magos
Ya vienen los Reyes Magos
Caminito de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
Cargaditos de juguetes
Cargaditos de juguetes
Para el Niño de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
La Virgen va caminando
La Virgen va caminando
Caminito de Belén
Olé, olé, olanda y olé
Olanda, ya se ve
Ya se ve, ya se ve
English Translation
The Three Wise Men are already coming,
The Three Wise Men are already coming
On the road to Bethlehem.
Olé, olé, olanda y olé,
Olanda, now you see,
Now you see, now you see.
Loaded down with toys,
Loaded down with toys
For the Child of Bethlehem.
Olé, olé, olanda y olé,
Olanda, now you see,
Now you see, now you see.
The Virgin goes walking,
The Virgin goes walking
On the road to Bethlehem.
Olé, olé, olanda y olé,
Olanda, now you see,
Now you see, now you see.
(Repeats)
The Three Wise Men are already coming
On the road to Bethlehem.
Olé, olé, olanda y olé,
Olanda, now you see,
Now you see, now you see.
Loaded down with toys,
Loaded down with toys
For the Child of Bethlehem.
Olé, olé, olanda y olé,
Olanda, now you see,
Now you see, now you see.
The Virgin goes walking,
The Virgin goes walking
On the road to Bethlehem.
Olé, olé, olanda y olé,
Olanda, now you see,
Now you see, now you see.
(Repeats)
