What are the lyrics to the Mexico’s national anthem? The Mexican ‘himno nacional’ translated and explained
The Estadio Ciudad de Mexico is going to be rocking tonight as Mexico take on England in the round of 16, and the Himno Nacional is going to be historic.
Later tonight we have the biggest match in Mexico’s World Cup history, and it’s being played at the most historic stadium in the country. El Tri take on England and even before the first kick of the ball, Ciudad de Mexico will be rocking.
Mexican battlecry
The national anthems are always emotional, but when you are in a knockout match and playing on your home soil, it hits different. That is what we have in store tonight before the round of 16 match, and the Mexicans in the stadium and around the country will be belting out the Himno Nacional.
The formerly named Estadio Azteca, holds more than 87,000 people and almost all of them will be in full voice during the playing of the anthem. The song was composed in 1854 and was written by Jaime Nuno and Francisco Gonzalez Bocanegra.
Just like most national anthems, the lyrics revolve around former battles and inspirational lyrics of the fatherland. In short it’s basically a battle cry, much like the “Star Spangled Banner” or France’s “La Marseillaise.” It has been shortened from it’s original version for sporting events, but it is still quite a long anthem. Here are the lyrics, both in Spanish and in English.
Himno Nacional
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
el acero aprestad y el bridón;
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,
que 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.
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
el acero aprestad y el bridón.
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
¡Guerra, guerra sin tregua al que intente
de la patria manchar los blasones!
¡guerra, guerra! los patrios pendones
en las olas de sangre empapad.
¡Guerra, guerra! en el monte, en el valle,
los cañones horrísonos truenen,
y los ecos sonoros resuenen
con las voces de ¡Unión!
¡Libertad!Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
el acero aprestad y el bridón;
Y retiemble en sus centros la Tierra,
al sonoro rugir del cañón.
Antes, Patria, que inermes tus hijos
bajo el yugo su cuello dobleguen,
tus campiñas con sangre se rieguen,
sobre sangre se estampe su pie.
Y tus templos, palacios y torres
se derrumben con hórrido estruendo,
y sus ruinas existan diciendo:
de mil héroes la patria aquí fue.
¡Patria! ¡Patria! tus hijos te juran
Exhalar en tus aras su aliento,
Si el clarín con su bélico acento
los convoca a lidiar con valor.
¡Para ti las guirnaldas de oliva!
¡Un recuerdo para ellos de gloria!
¡Un laurel para ti de victoria!
¡Un sepulcro para ellos de honor!
Himno Nacional (TRANSLATED)
Mexicans, at the cry of battlel
end your swords and bridle;
and let the earth tremble at its center
upon the roar of the cannon.
Your forehead shall be girded,
oh fatherland, with olive garlands
by the divine archangel of peace,
For in heaven your eternal destiny
has been written by the finger of God.
But should a foreign enemy
Profane your land with his sole,
Think, beloved fatherland, that heaven
gave you a soldier in each son.
Mexicans, at the cry of battle
lend your swords and bridle;
and let the earth tremble at its center
upon the roar of the cannon.
War, war without truce against who would attempt
to blemish the honor of the fatherland!
War, war! The patriotic banners
saturate in waves of blood.
War, war! On the mount, in the vale
The terrifying cannon thunder
and the echoes nobly resound
to the cries of union! liberty!
Mexicans, at the cry of battle
lend your swords and bridle;
and let the earth tremble at its center
upon the roar of the cannon.
Fatherland, before your children become unarmed
Beneath the yoke their necks in sway,
May your countryside be watered with blood,
On blood, their feet trample.
And may your temples, palaces and towers
crumble in a horrid crash,
and their ruins exist saying:
The fatherland was made of one thousand heroes here.
Fatherland, fatherland, your children swear
to exhale their breath in your cause,
If the bugle in its belligerent tone
should call upon them to struggle with bravery.
For you the olive garlands!
For them a memory of glory!
For you a laurel of victory!For them a tomb of honor!
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.