Las Mañanitas Mexican Birthday Song Lyrics

The Mexican Birthday Song Lyrics and Translation

Generational family watching girl blowing out birthday candles — Edgardo Contreras / Getty Images

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Updated on May 02, 2024

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"Las Mañanitas" is a traditional song in Spanish that Mexicans sing to honor a loved one on their birthday, All Saints' Day, or other important holidays, such as Mother's Day and the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. People may sing it as an early morning serenade to wake up a loved one, so if you're visiting Mexico and hear mariachis playing at the crack of dawn, you'll know it's a special occasion. At birthday parties, guests gather around to sing before cutting the birthday cake, as Americans might sing "Happy Birthday To You" (except "Las Mañanitas" is quite a bit longer, so it's a good idea to have candles that will last through the song!).

The name of the composer of "Las Mañanitas" is not known. The Mexican composer Manuel M. Ponce (1882-1948) is occasionally credited as having composed it, although it probably pre-dates him. He does seem to have popularized a particular arrangement for the song. As a traditional song with a long history, there are multiple variations of the lyrics and a wide variety of verses. At most Mexican parties you will usually only hear the first two verses sung, but some additional verses are occasionally included, particularly when the song is performed formally by mariachis.

'Las Mañanitas' Lyrics and English Translation

Additional Verses in 'Las Mañanitas'

El día en que tu naciste nacieron todas las flores En la pila del bautismo, cantaron los ruiseñores.	The day you were born all the flowers were born. On the baptismal font, the nightingales sang.
Quisiera ser solecito para entrar por tu ventana y darte los buenos días acostadita en tu cama.	I would like to be the sunshine to enter through your window to wish you good morning while you're lying in your bed.
Quisiera ser un San Juan, quisiera ser un San Pedro Para venirte a cantar con la música del cielo.	I would like to be a Saint John. I would like to be a Saint Peter To sing to you with the music of heaven.
De las estrellas del cielo tengo que bajarte dos una para saludarte y otra para decirte adiós.	Of the stars in the sky I have to lower two for you. One with which to greet you and the other to wish you goodbye.

Other Traditions in Mexican Parties

Another important element of a Mexican birthday party is the piñata, which, although originally associated with Christmas celebrations, is now an essential part of almost any children's party (and some adult parties as well). The piñata has an interesting origin and history, and there is also a special song that accompanies the breaking of the piñata.

Besides birthday parties, Mexicans have other festive occasions throughout the year that are worthy of celebrating. If you would like to have a party that is Mexican in style, you could throw a Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Just be sure you practice singing "Las Mañanitas" in advance so you'll know what to do when the candles on the cake are lit.

Key Takeaways

"Las Mañanitas" is a traditional Spanish song sung to honor loved ones on special occasions like birthdays, All Saints' Day, Mother's Day, and the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The song's composer remains unknown, but sometimes the Mexican composer Manuel M. Ponce is credited with its composition.
Typically, only the first two verses are sung, but formal mariachi performances may include additional verses.

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Barbezat, Suzanne. "Las Mañanitas Mexican Birthday Song Lyrics." ThoughtCo, May. 2, 2024, thoughtco.com/what-is-las-mananitas-1588859. Barbezat, Suzanne. (2024, May 2). Las Mañanitas Mexican Birthday Song Lyrics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-las-mananitas-1588859 Barbezat, Suzanne. "Las Mañanitas Mexican Birthday Song Lyrics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-las-mananitas-1588859 (accessed May 29, 2024).

Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David, Hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti, Despierta, mi bien*, despierta, mira que ya amaneció, Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metió.	This is the morning song that King David sang. Because today is your saint's day, we're singing it for you Wake up, my dear*, wake up, look it is already dawn. The birds are already singing and the moon has set.
Que linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte, Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte, Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dio, Levántate de mañana, mira que ya amaneció.	How lovely is the morning in which I come to greet you? We all came here with joy and pleasure to congratulate you. The morning is coming now, the sun is giving us its light. Get up in the morning, look it is already dawn.