You probably know these Christmas songs, since they are heard and sung throughout the holiday season, but do you know where they come from? Here is a Christmas songbook with 10 themes traditional in Puerto Rico that belong at any holiday gathering.
1. Casitas de la montaña
Although its popular name is Casitas de la Montaña, the song is actually the Villancico Hosana, written by "El Jibarito de Puerto Rico," Rafael Hernández Marín, a pillar of Puerto Rican music in the 20th century and the author of other well-known songs such as "Lamento Borincano" and "El Cumbanchero."
Chorus: Christmas, Christmas, happiness to all. Sing, sing on this night of love and peace.
Star of hope, how beautiful your glow, lighting the holy night of Jesus, the Redeemer. Ring, bells, ring; brothers, sing, sing, hosanna, Lord, hosanna. How beautiful is Christmas!
*Repeat chorus
2. Alegre vengo
"Alegre vengo" may be one of the songs you hear most at holiday parties or at parrandas this time of year, but did you know it was originally going to be called "De la montaña vengo"? The hit, well known across the Island, was written by Ponce composer Arturo Silvanoli Nieves during the 1920s.
And to my friends I bring flowers, the finest from my rose garden (x2). —
I already feel my soul restless with joy and pure, unmatched delight,
for the most Puerto Rican and most joyful journey of all, Christmas.
*Repeat chorus
Let us all sing with jubilation, full of joy, full of love,
and let us keep alive in the present, always present, the tradition.
*Repeat chorus
How glad I am to have been born in this nest, in this Eden,
because these celebrations I love so much are the enchantment of Borinquen.
*Repeat chorus
With drums, güiro and maracas the serenade is merry,
I wish everyone, as my farewell, years of life and prosperity. *Repeat chorus
3. Caminan las nubes
The song dates from the 1970s and was performed by the Cantores de San Juan, a tuna group founded by Vicente Caratini. The Cantores de San Juan are also known for another of their hits, "Si no me dan de beber," another song closely associated with traditional parrandas on the Island.
Take me to glory tomorrow at nine, take me to glory tomorrow at nine.
Tomorrow at nine, let no one doubt it, for through the sky the clouds are moving (x2).
From the Church comes a butterfly, from the Church comes a butterfly.
It is Mary the Virgin who is the most beautiful, it is Mary the Virgin who is the most beautiful.
Who is the most beautiful, let no one doubt it, for through the sky the clouds are walking (x2).
Sunday at one I sent a promise, Sunday at one I sent a promise.
And I am fulfilling it so as not to owe it, and I am fulfilling it so as not to owe it.
So there's no doubt, let no one doubt it, that clouds walk through the sky (x2).
Leaving the Mass, a candle went out, leaving the Mass, a candle went out.
They were the eyes of la Magdalena, they were the eyes of la Magdalena.
Of la Magdalena, let no one doubt it, that clouds walk through the sky (x2).
Leaving mass, a light came on, leaving mass, a light came on.
They were the little eyes of the baby Jesus, they were the little eyes of the baby Jesus.
Of the baby Jesus, let no one doubt it, that through the sky the clouds are moving (x2).
4. De las montañas venimos
The song, written by Bobby Capó, became familiar to Puerto Rican parranda-goers through the Cantores de San Juan, who recorded it. As a curious footnote, the title caused some confusion: people learned the song as "De la montaña venimos" rather than "De las montañas venimos" because they dropped the "s."
and ron pitorro to drink…. —
Ay, doña María, ay, compay José! Open the door, I want to see you (x2).
Open up, compay, it's already three and I haven't had a drop of coffee (x2).
*Repeat chorus 2 times
Without arroz con gandules, pasteles and rum, I won't get through this Christmas (x2)
Don't bring me anything, I don't want a thing — just bring me a roast pig for the holidays (x2).
*Repeat chorus 2 times
And if there's nothing else, I swear
This Christmas bring me a roast pig, and if there's nothing else, I swear (x2)
*Repeat chorus 2 times
5. El Cardenalito
Although this aguinaldo is well known on the Island, it did not originate here. It was written by Venezuelan composer Adelis Fréitez, who began his career in the 1970s. The song reached Puerto Rico in 1990 and became a Christmas classic thanks to Danny Rivera, who included it on his album "Regalo de amor y paz." On that recording, the song was performed by Danny Rivera, the Cantores de San Juan and Vicente Caratini.
,
If the Child is sad, it will cheer him, and if the Child cries, it will comfort him.
The Virgin lulls him with her gentle mantle, and a cardenalito offers him its song.
*Repeat chorus
A cardinal sang sadly in its cage; when a prisoner sings, it is so as not to cry.
A little boy came, opened the door, and it flew away happily into freedom.
*Repeat chorus
The cardenalito crossed the wide sea, crossing borders it reached Bethlehem, and told the Child that here in Puerto Rico all the children adore him too.
*Repeat chorus
6. El jolgorio
The author of this parranda is Alfonso Vélez, known for releasing an album in 1973 that included another song that is a fixture at town festivals: La luz, better known as El Fua. El Jolgorio, according to its composer, came to him while he was on a plane to New York to perform El Fua, he told NotiCel in an interview. The song, which was originally titled Wepa, Wepa, Wepa, has gained international popularity through El Gran Combo, who have performed it as far away as Japan.
Let's have a good time haha, wepa, wepa, wepa.
Let's have a good time haha, wepa, wepa, wepa.
—
Bring the pitorro, bring the pitorro, until the break of dawn, the party's on haha, well by the maceta.
Let's have a good time haha, wepa, wepa, wepa.
*Repeat chorus.
With the rum and anise, with the rum and anise, I'll make a recipe, the party's on haha, well by the maceta.
Let's have a good time haha, wepa, wepa, wepa.
*Repeat chorus
I'll be singing, I'll be singing, the whole night through, the party's on haha, well by the maceta.
Let's have a good time haha, wepa, wepa, wepa.
*Repeat chorus
Now I say goodbye, now I say goodbye, long live the party, the party's on haha well by the maceta.
Let's have a good time haha, wepa, wepa, wepa.
*Repeat chorus.
7. Hermoso bouquet
This song is well known on the Island as part of the parranda repertoire. It is attributed to Manuel Jiménez, an Orocovis-born pioneer of plena, who is believed to have composed it around 1967, the year a score appeared under his name with the title "Aguinaldo de las flores." Jiménez is also the author of other widely recognized Christmas songs such as "Cuando las mujeres," "Santa María" and "Cortaron a Elena."
"Hermoso bouquet" stands out because it describes a parranda in which the visitors bring the homeowners a bouquet and an aguinaldo.
the loveliest flowers from the Puerto Rican garden (x2).
— From all the flowers I bring you a bouquet,
receive it well, for this is your aguinaldo (x2).
*Repeat chorus
I have white carnations, and also lilies,
the night-blooming branches, the spearmint flower (x2).
*Chorus repeats
Among so many flowers we say our farewell, as the spikenard and the iris say goodbye (x2).
*Chorus repeats.
8. Saludos, saludos
Jesús Sánchez Erazo, better known as Chuíto, el de Bayamón, popularized this song that is a staple of any parranda.
Greetings, greetings, I come to greet.
In the Isabelino style, how lovely to sing.
In the Isabelino style, how lovely to sing.
—
With the holiday days of New Year's and Three Kings Day.
In beautiful papers it shines in the grove.
The flowers of the meadow adorn the celebration
The surroundings glow with a lovely light.
To adorn you, beloved Puerto Rico.
To adorn you, beloved Puerto Rico.
*Repeat chorus
The little jíbaro comes out with great spirit
To bring his neighbor a little aguinaldo
He tunes the tintin and the little guitar.
He plays his little music alongside his wife.
That is how joy is found on my beautiful little island.
And that is how joy is found on my beautiful little island.
*Repeat chorus
Every singer comes out in these days.
Bringing joy with his resounding voice.
He cheers the traveler with his extra verse.
Ready to give to compay Ricardo.
A lovely aguinaldo, home by home.
And a lovely aguinaldo, home by home.
9. Mosaico del lechón
This song is attributed to José Ángel Nogueras, founder of the Tuna de Cayey. Puerto Ricans often sing portions of it in a medley with other Christmas songs. The best-known verse, without a doubt, is the one that goes: "El lechón se coge, se mata y se pela, se pone en la vara y se le da candela…"
De las montañas venimos, para invitarle a comer
Un lechoncito en su vara y ron pitorro a beber (2x)
—
Coro: El lechón se coge se mata y se pela (2x)
Se pone en la vara y se le da candela (2x)
—
A comer pasteles si a comer lechón (2x)
Ponga el cuatro mi compay que yo pongo el ron (2x)
*Repite coro
Hace media hora que estamos aquí (2x)
Y no nos han da'o ni palo de anís (2x)
*Repite coro
Esta parrandita que queremos darle (2x)
Solo quiere ron, pasteles y baile (2x)
*Repite coro
A ese pobre lechón, lo mataron (4x)
La la la la la la la la la la (2x)
A ese pobre lechón, lo mataron (4x)
10. Vámonos que la parranda se acabó
It is one of the most sung songs at Puerto Rican parrandas, usually saved for last because it serves as a farewell. It is typically accompanied by gestures and actions that mime the guests leaving the parranda, only to stay, because "y no me voy de aquí hasta por la mañana," as the song goes.
We're waking you up just to cause you trouble.
Let's go, let's go, let's go, the parranda is over.
Let's go, let's go, let's go, the parranda is over.
No, no, no. I don't feel like it.
I'm not leaving here until morning.
Let's go walking, walking, I'm leaving here.
What was given is gone, it's over.
What was given is gone, it's over. What was given is gone, let's go.
¡Llegó la Navidad!🎄 Visit the guide
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
