Mexico national anthem lyrics

Mexico’s national anthem is officially titled “Himno Nacional Mexicano.”
The lyrics were written by Francisco González Bocanegra, and the music was composed by Jaime Nunó. The anthem was officially adopted in 1854 and is known for its strong language about defense, sacrifice, and national dignity.

A Song Built on Resolve

Unlike many anthems that focus on peaceful imagery, Mexico’s anthem speaks directly about protecting the homeland. The lyrics call on citizens to defend the nation’s honor and independence, reflecting the country’s long history of struggle and resistance.

Original Lyrics (Spanish)

Himno Nacional Mexicano

Coro

Mas si osare un extraño enemigo
pisar tu suelo con planta profana,
piensa ¡oh Patria querida! que el cielo
un soldado en cada hijo te dio.

I

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
pisar tu suelo con planta profana,
piensa ¡oh Patria querida! que el cielo
un soldado en cada hijo te dio.

V

¡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!

VI

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.

X

¡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!

Nota: En actos oficiales normalmente se canta el coro y las estrofas I, V, VI y X, que forman la versión reconocida y usada públicamente.

English Version (Translation)

Mexican National Anthem – English Translation

But should a foreign enemy dare
to tread upon your soil with profane step,
think, beloved homeland, that heaven
gave you a soldier in every son.

Crown your brow, oh homeland, with olive,
by the divine archangel of peace,
for in heaven your eternal destiny
was written by the hand of God.
But should a foreign enemy dare
to tread upon your soil with profane step,
think, beloved homeland, that heaven
gave you a soldier in every son.

War, war without mercy to those who attempt
to stain the symbols of the homeland!
War, war! Let the national banners
be soaked in waves of blood.
War, war! In mountain and valley
let the dreadful cannons thunder,
and let the echoes resound
with the cries of Union! Liberty!

Before your children bend their necks
under the yoke of slavery,
let your fields be watered with blood,
let blood mark every step.
And may your temples, palaces, and towers
collapse with terrible noise,
so their ruins proclaim:
here stood a homeland of a thousand heroes.

Homeland! Homeland! Your children swear
to breathe out their lives upon your altars
if the bugle with its warlike call
summons them to fight with courage.
For you, the olive wreaths of peace!
For them, a memory of glory!
For you, a laurel of victory!
For them, a tomb of honor!

How the Anthem Took Shape

The Mexican government organized a national competition in the early 1850s to select an anthem. Francisco González Bocanegra initially resisted participating but eventually wrote the lyrics that would become one of the most powerful national songs in the world.

The anthem reflects Mexico’s determination to remain free and sovereign. Its strong language is a reminder of past sacrifices and the belief that national dignity must always be protected.