Looking for Soccer News?
Mexico national anthem: Lyrics & 'Himno Nacional' meaning explained
National anthems are a feature of international football and Goal takes a look at the one El Tri has used since their inception
One of the best parts of participating in international football is feeling a deep sense of connection to one's homeland, so the singing of the national anthem before matches can provide an emotional boost to many players.
Each side lines up in single rows, often with hands over hearts, to recite their respective songs.
Not every player loves the tradition - some have complicated relationships with their governments, for example - but it has nonetheless become a staple of the game.
Goal examines the Mexican national anthem and its history.
Mexico football team national anthem
The Mexican national anthem, like many anthems around the world, draws upon battle themes and inspiration.
Composed in 1854 by Jaime Nuno and written by Francisco Gonzalez Bocanegra, it asks for eternal unity and patriotism from the Mexican people in times of war.
Bocanegra entered the work in a contest staged by the government and won, though his effort was not fully appreciated by the public until after his death at just 37 years old.
'Himno Nacional' full translated lyrics
Himno Nacional has been shortened from its 1943 version for sporting events, using only the first three stanzas for the sake of brevity.
Even the 1943 edition used elsewhere outside of entertainment is an abbreviated version of an original one that included 10 stanzas interspersed with the chorus.
Below is the current anthem, with just the first three paragraphs recited before football matches.
Himno Nacional
Mexicans, at the cry of battle
lend your swords and bridle;
and let the earth tremble at its center
upon the roar of the cannon.
Your forehead shall be girded, oh fatherland, with olive garlands
by the divine archangel of peace,
For in heaven your eternal destiny
has been written by the finger of God.
But should a foreign enemy
Profane your land with his sole,
Think, beloved fatherland, that heaven
gave you a soldier in each son.
Mexicans, at the cry of battle
lend your swords and bridle;
and let the earth tremble at its center
upon the roar of the cannon.
War, war without truce against who would attempt
to blemish the honor of the fatherland!
War, war! The patriotic banners
saturate in waves of blood.
War, war! On the mount, in the vale
The terrifying cannon thunder
and the echoes nobly resound
to the cries of union! liberty!
Mexicans, at the cry of battle
lend your swords and bridle;
and let the earth tremble at its center
upon the roar of the cannon.
Fatherland, before your children become unarmed
Beneath the yoke their necks in sway,
May your countryside be watered with blood,
On blood their feet trample.
And may your temples, palaces and towers
crumble in horrid crash,
and their ruins exist saying:
The fatherland was made of one thousand heroes here.
Fatherland, fatherland, your children swear
to exhale their breath in your cause,
If the bugle in its belligerent tone
should call upon them to struggle with bravery.
For you the olive garlands!
For them a memory of glory!
For you a laurel of victory!
For them a tomb of honor!
