It’s been suggested that we AkumalNowians need to learn the traditional Mexican Happy Birthday song. Las Mañanitas is not only sung to celebrate birthdays and saint’s days here in Mexico, but it’s also popular in other Latino countries. In Columbia they sing it at quinceañera parties. Because it is traditional, there are lots of variations and verses. Here is a pretty common version —
Many Mexican musicians have recorded Las Mañanitas, including Alejandro Fernández, Pedro Infante, Javier Solís, and the Mariachi Vargas of Tecatitlán, the oldest and most famous mariachi group which was founded in 1898.
Following are links so you can hear the tune and practice in the privacy of your own home. Then next time you’re out in public and the birthday song is being sung, you can sing along — or at least move your lips in sync with the music!
Las Mañanitas by Vincente Fernandez (w/English subtitles)
