Litany Para Pedir Posada (English: Asking for a place to stay) is a song traditionally sung in The Posadas — traditional Christmas celebrations in some Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. In Mexico, posadas are part of what has recently been called The Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon.
Lyrics
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Spanish
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English
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Afuera:
- En nombre del cielo
- Os pido posada
- Pues no puede andar
- Mi esposa amada
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Outside - Joseph asks:
- (In the name of heaven)
- (I request you grant us shelter)
- (Given that she cannot walk)
- (She my beloved wife)
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Adentro:
- Aquí no es mesón
- Sigan adelante
- Yo no puedo abrir
- No sea algún tunante
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Inside - "Probable" host answers:
- (This is not an Inn)
- (Please continue ahead)
- (I can not open)
- (You may be a robber)
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Afuera:
- No seas inhumano
- Tennos caridad
- Que el Rey de los cielos
- Te lo premiará
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Outside - Joseph replies:
- (Do not be inhumane)
- (grant us charity)
- (Since the King of heavens)
- (Will prize you for that)
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Adentro:
- Ya se pueden ir
- Y no molestar
- porque si me enfado
- Os voy a apalear
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Inside - Still "probable" host answers:
- (You can already go away)
- (and do not bother)
- (because if I get upset)
- (I will beat you up)
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Afuera:
- Venimos rendidos
- Desde Nazaret
- Yo soy carpintero
- De nombre José
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Outside - Joseph insists:
- (We come exhausted)
- (From Nazareth)
- (I am a carpenter)
- (Named Joseph)
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Adentro:
- No me importa el nombre
- Déjenme dormir
- Porque ya les digo
- Que no hemos de abrir
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Inside - Still unconvinced host replies:
- (I don't care about your name)
- (Let me go to sleep)
- (Because, as I said)
- (We shall not open)
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Afuera:
- Posada te pide
- Amado casero
- Por sólo una noche
- La reina del cielo
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Outside - Joseph expects reasoning:
- (She asks you shelter)
- (Dear innkeeper)
- (for just one night)
- (She, the queen of heaven)
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Adentro:
- Pues si es una reina
- Quien lo solicita
- ¿Cómo es que de noche
- Anda tan solita?
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Inside - Almost convinced host asks:
- (So, if it's a queen)
- (who's asking for it,)
- (how is it that at night)
- (she travels so alone?)
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Afuera:
- Mi esposa es María
- Es reina del cielo
- Y madre va a ser
- Del divino verbo
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Outside - Joseph answers:
- (My wife is Mary)
- (She's the Heavenly Queen)
- (And she'll be mother)
- (Of the divine word)
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Adentro:
- ¿Eres tú José?
- ¿Tu esposa es María?
- Entren peregrinos
- No los conocía
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Inside - Convinced host finally offers shelter:
- (Are you Joseph?)
- (Is your wife Mary?)
- (Come in, pilgrims)
- (I did not know you)
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Afuera:
- Dios pague, señores
- Vuestra caridad
- Y que os colme el cielo
- De felicidad
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Outside - Joseph gratefully says:
- (May God pay, sirs)
- (your charity)
- (And may heaven swamp you)
- (With happiness)
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Adentro:
- Dichosa la casa
- Que alberga este día
- A la virgen pura
- La hermosa María
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Inside - Host replies:
- (Joyful be the house)
- (That this day hosts)
- (The pure virgin)
- (The beautiful Mary)
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Everyone:
| Spanish
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English
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- ¡Entren santos peregrinos!
- ¡Reciban éste rincón!
- Que aunque es pobre la morada
- ¡Se las doy de corazón!
- ¡Cantemos con alegría!
- ¡Todos al considerar!
- ¡Que Jesús, José y María
- nos vinieron hoy a honrar!
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- (Come in, holy pilgrims!)
- (Receive this corner!)
- (Because, even though the place is poor)
- (I offer it to you from my heart!)
- (Let's sing with joy!)
- (Everyone at the thought!)
- (That Jesus, Joseph and Mary)
- (Came today to honour us!)
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References