The Birthday Song - Is It The Same Everywhere?
Birthday song: Feliz Cumpleanos! Is what you would hear just before your birthday celebration in Mexico. Although the birthday song may sound like a universal language, in Mexico, it is quite different.
In Mexico, they sing a song called, "Las Mananitas" or "The Little Mornings" when translated, is typically a song that is sang to you in the midst of your party and just before you cut your cake. There are several other holidays as well where it is acceptable to sing "Las Mananitas" such as the religious observance Easter. This song is very different from what we know as the "Birthday song" and has a faster pace.
The lyrics to the song "Las Mananitas" are as written below
Estas son las mananitas, que cantaba el rey David,
Hoy por ser dia de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti,
Despierta, mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amanecio,
Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metio.
Que linda esta la manana en que vengo a saludarte,
Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte,
Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dio,
Levantate de manana, mira que ya amanecio.
Although this song is unique to its culture, it is not impossible to translate. When translated into English this song lyrics are as follows
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
How lovely is the morning in which I come to greet you
We all came 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.
This song has many other verses as well, depending on who will be singing. However, when sang to a person at a birthday party, most will only sing the first two verses as listed. Other verses that comply with this song will be added as needed for the holiday or celebration for which it is being sang..