The Mexican national anthem is a musical composition that represents Mexico in official ceremonies and state events. Together with the flag and the national emblem , it is part of the three national symbols of that country.

Its practice began in 1854, although it was established as the official anthem of Mexico in 1943, by the then president, Manuel Ávila Camacho . His lyrics are about the victories and defense of the homeland,  and highlights the sacrifice and virtues of the Mexican people.

The current Mexican national anthem was written by the poet Francisco González Bocanegra and its music composed by the Spanish Jaime Nunó . The original version contained 10 stanzas that have been modified and shortened throughout history. Starting in 1943, the hymn had 4 stanzas and a chorus.

History of the Mexican national anthem

Previous to the current version, there were other versions that marked the beginning of a possible national anthem for Mexico

In 1821, during the process of Independence of Mexico , José Torrescano composed the first hymn in honor of Agustín de Iturbide . However, due to the political differences that the Mexican government was going through, the anthem did not last long and was replaced by a composition by José María Garmendia the following year.

After the US invasions, the country had lost a large part of its territory and had the need to carry out an act of national unity . In this way, between 1849 and 1853 several artists were summoned to define a new national song .

Many of the versions were composed by foreign artists and were not approved by the Mexican people. After several calls, President Antonio López de Santa Anna chose the version of Francisco González Bocanegra , a 29-year-old poet.

The first public performance was held on September 15, 1854 at the National Theater of Mexico. However, the official premiere took place the next day, in the presence of President Santa Anna, where it was conducted by Jaime Nunó and sung by Balbina Steffenone and Lorenzo Salvi .

This version underwent a modification in 1855 , when two stanzas that paid tribute to Iturbide and Santa Anna were eliminated .

In 1943, President Manuel Ávila Camacho made his latest version official, with a chorus and stanzas 1, 5, 6 and 10 of the original version of 1854. In addition, the president prohibited by decree future changes to the Mexican anthem .

Current chorus

The current chorus of the Mexican national anthem is as follows:

Mexicans, to the battle cry
The steel ready and the bridle;
And let the earth tremble in its centers
At the loud roar of the cannon.
And let the earth tremble in its centers
At the loud roar of the cannon. 

Current stanzas

The current stanzas of the Mexican national anthem are as follows:

Girdle Oh, country, your olive temples of
peace the divine archangel,
that in heaven your eternal destiny
was written by the finger of God.
But if a strange enemy dares to
desecrate your soil with his plant,
think Oh, dear homeland! Heaven
gave you a soldier in each child.
War, war without truce to the one who tries
to stain the coats of arms of the country!
War, war! The patriotic banners
in the waves of blood soak.
War, war! In the mountains, in the valley,
the horrid cannons thunder
and the sonorous echoes resonate
with the voices of ¡Unión, Libertad!
Before, fatherland, may your children bend their necks helplessly
under the yoke,
let your fields be watered with blood,
on blood is his foot stamped .
And your temples, palaces and towers
collapse with horrid roar,
and its ruins exist saying:
of a thousand heroes the homeland was here.
Homeland! Homeland! Your children swear to
exhale their breath on your behalf,
if the clarion with its bellicose accent
summons them to deal with courage.
Olive garlands for you!
A memory for them of glory!
A laurel for you of victory!
A grave for them of honor!