when the "swell" population turns out to enjoy the music. Travelers will find pianos all over the country, even in towns 500 miles distant from a seaport or railway terminus. Violins and guitars are also used, the latter being common among the Indians and mestizos. Wandering street musicians are rare.
There is not much original Mexican music; the national hymn, consisting of ten verses, being the best known. It was written by Bocanegra, and set to music by Nunó.
The following is a metrical translation of the chorus and first two verses of the national hymn of Mexico:[1]
CHORUS.
Mexicans, haste to fight and bleed!
Make ready sword and bridled steed;
Let the earth tremble to its core,
Exulting in the cannon's roar.
First Stanza.
Oh, may the olive-branch of peace,
Dear Fatherland, wave over thee;
For writ in heaven, by God's own hand,
Is thine eternal destiny.
And if the foe, with foot profane,
Invade thy soil, O sacred land!
Each son of thine, a soldier born,
The fierce invasions shall withstand.
Second Stanza.
Behold them plunged in bloody strife;
The love which animates each heart
Impels them on to give their life,
And e'er count death the better part.
The former exploits of thy sons,
O Fatherland, remember now,
And once again immortal crowns
Of laurel shall adorn thy brow.
- ↑ Arranged for the author by E. E. J.
