“Las Mañanitas” is a traditional Mexican song that is the equivalent of “Happy Birthday.” It dates back to 1896, when it originated in Zacatecas, Mexico. Today, it’s writer or composer is unknown. By the 1900s the song had become so popular that mariachi were beginning to sing Las Mañanitas during people’s birthdays. However, it is not uncommon to have mariachi play the song for an anniversary or other special occasion.
Today it has become a tradition that a loved one will have mariachi come to your home and sing this song for you on your birthday. Also, it’s very often sung in the early morning when awake a loved one. There are a lot versions of “Las Mañanitas,” but just two verses are sung at most Mexican parties.
Here in Cuernavaca, one only has to visit the Zocolo downtown to find mariachi who will accompany you to your home or other place to perform this song and others for your loved one’s special day! Much as in the following video in which Pedro Fernandez performs the most common and shortened version of Las Mañanitas.
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Original Las Mañanitas Lyrics
que cantaba el rey David
Hoy por ser día de tu santo
te las cantamos aquí.
Despierta mi bien despierta
Mira que ya amaneció
Ya los pajaritos cantan
La luna ya se metió.
en que vengo a saludarte
Venimos todos con gusto
y placer a felicitarte!
El día en que tú naciste,
nacieron todas las flores
Ya viene amaneciendo
ya la luz del dia nos dió.
mira que ya amaneció.
Y En la pila del bautismo
cantaron los ruiseñores.
Ya viene amaneciendo
ya la luz del dia nos dió.
Levantarte de la mañana,
mira que ya amaneció.
por toditas las ciudades
Hoy por ser dia de tu santo
Te deseamos felicidades
Ya viene amaneciendo
ya la luz del dia nos dió.
Levantarte de la mañana,
mira que ya amaneció.
despierta
Paso el tiempo de dormir
Ya los gallos muy contentos
cantaron kikiriki
Ya viene amaneciendo
ya la luz del dia nos dió.
Levantarte de la mañana,
mira que ya amaneció.
Para entrar por tu ventana
Y darte los buenos dias
acostadita en cama
Ya viene amaneciendo
ya la luz del dia nos dió.
Levantarte de la mañana,
mira que ya amaneció.
quisiera ser un san pedro
para venirte a saludar
con la musica del cielo
Ya viene amaneciendo
ya la luz del dia nos dió.
Levantarte de la mañana,
mira que ya amaneció.
tengo que bajarte dos,
Una para saludarte,
otra para decirte adiós.
Volaron cuatro palomas
por toditas las ciudades
hoy por ser día de tu santo
te deseamos felicidades.
Con rácimos de flores
hoy te vengo a saludar.
Y hoy por ser día de tu santo
te venimos a cantar.
that King David sang about
We are singing here because today is your saint’s day
(or birthday or anniversary)
Wake up my dear, Wake up and
see what dawn has brought
The birds are singing
and the moon has set.
on which I come to greet you
We come with happiness
and pleasure to congratulate you!
All flowers were born on the day
that you were born
Dawn is arriving and
the light of day is upon us.
see what dawn has brought.
The nightingales sing
at your baptismal fountain.
Dawn is arriving and
the light of day is upon us.
Rise up this morning and
see that dawn has come.
because today is your saint’s day
(or birthday or anniversary, etc.),
we wish you happiness
Dawn is arriving and
the light of day is upon us.
Rise up this morning and
see what dawn has brought.
wake up.
The time to sleep has passed.
And the satisfied (happy) roosters
sing ki kiri ki.
Dawn is arriving
and the light of day is upon us.
Rise up this morning and
see what dawn has brought.
to enter through your window
And greet you Good Morning
lying in the bed.
Dawn is arriving
and the light of day is upon us.
Rise up this morning and
see what dawn has brought.
I would like to be Saint Paul
To come to greet you
With the music of Heaven
Dawn is arriving
and the light of day is upon us.
Rise up this morning and
see what dawn has brought.
I had to take two down
One to greet you
Another to bid farewell.
Four doves flew
Through all of the cities
Today because it is your birthday
We wish you happiness
With bouquets of flowers.
Today I come to greet you.
And today because it is your birthday
We come to sing.
