ATMuse> The Music of Multicultural America
Edited by Kip Lornell and Anne K. Rasmussen
“Las mañanitas” is one of the best known of all Mexican songs. While the term mañanitas (early morning) referred to songs of serenading for a variety of occasions, the song has become synoymous with birthday events. This recording, made by American herpetologist Charles Bogert on a field trip to Chapala, near Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, was performed by Mariachi Águilas de Chapala and published by Folkways Records in 1960.
To listen to this track, purchase it through the Smithsonian Folkways website. Recorded on August 20, 1959 (Published 1960), Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. Mariachi Águilas de Chapala.
Lyrics First Verse
Qué linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte.
Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte.
El día en que usted nació, nacieron todas las flores.
Y en la pila del bautismo cantaron los ruiseñores.
Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dió.
Levantese de mañana, mire que ya amaneció.
Translated Lyrics First Verse
How pretty is the morning, in which I come to salute you.
We all come with enjoyment and pleasure to congratulate you.
The day you were born, all the flowers were born.
And in the baptismal font, the nightingales sang.
Dawn is coming, the light has now hit us.
Arise in the morning, see that it has already dawned.
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