
Info
In Mexico over 9 evenings until Christmas Eve, a group of singers called “peregrinos (pilgrims)” reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for room in an inn. They go to different homes, and the “posaderos (innkeepers)” sing call and response with the carolers. After singing all verses, the peregrinos enter the home, where they all sing together. (more info)
Lyrics - Spanish
(Mexican folk carol)
En el nombre del cielo os pido posada,
pues no puede andar mi esposa amada.
Aquí no es mesón sigan adelante,
yo no puedo abrir, no sea algún tunante.
No seas inhumano, tenos caridad,
que el Dios de los cielos te lo premiará.
Ya se pueden ir y no molestar
porque si me enfado los voy a apalear.
Venimos rendidos desde Nazaret,
yo soy carpintero de nombre José.
No me importa el nombre, déjenme dormir,
pues ya les digo que no hemos de abrir.
Posada te pide, amado casero
por sólo una noche la Reina del Cielo.
Pues si es una Reina quien lo solicita
¿Cómo es que de noche, anda tan solita?
Mi esposa es María, es Reina del Cielo,
y madre va a ser del Divino Verbo.
¿Eres tu José? ¿Tu esposa es María?
Entren, peregrinos, no los conocía.
Dios pague señores vuestra caridad,
y que os colme el cielo de felicidad.
Dichosa la casa que abriga este día
a la Virgen Pura la hermosa María.
The doors are opened and those outside enter as all sing:
Entren santos peregrinos, peregrinos, reciban este rincón
no de esta pobre morada sino de mi corazón.
English Translation - Accommodations
In the name of heaven I ask you for lodging,
Well, my beloved wife cannot walk.
Here is not an inn, keep going,
I can’t open it, don’t be a rogue.
Don’t be inhumane, have charity for us,
that the God of heaven will reward you.
You can go now and don’t bother
because if I get angry I’m going to beat them up.
We come exhausted from Nazareth,
I am a carpenter named Joseph.
I don’t care about the name, let me sleep,
Well, I’m telling you that we shouldn’t open.
I ask for accommodations, beloved landlord
for just one night the Queen of Heaven.
Well, if it is a Queen who requests it
How is it that at night, she walks so alone?
My wife is Mary, she is Queen of Heaven,
and her mother she is going to be of the Divine Word.
Are you Joseph? Is your wife Mary?
Come in, pilgrims, I did not know you.
God pay gentlemen your charity,
and may heaven fill you with happiness.
Blessed is the house that shelters this day
to the Pure Virgin the beautiful Mary.
The doors are opened and those outside enter as all sing:
Enter holy pilgrims, pilgrims, receive this corner
not from this poor abode but from my heart.
See also
- Country: Mexico
- Subject: Christmas
- Harmony: chords I, IV, V
- Melody: tonic triad / dominant triad
- Meter: mixed
- PDF of song with chords
- MIDI file
- Listen to the melody

