Letanía

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

Spanish	English
Afuera: En nombre del cielo Os pido posada Pues no puede andar Mi esposa amada	Outside - Joseph asks: (In the name of heaven) (I request you grant us shelter) (Given that she cannot walk) (She my beloved wife)
Adentro: Aquí no es mesón Sigan adelante Yo no puedo abrir No sea algún tunante	Inside - "Probable" host answers: (This is not an Inn) (Please continue ahead) (I can not open) (You may be a robber)
Afuera: No seas inhumano Tennos caridad Que el Rey de los cielos Te lo premiará	Outside - Joseph replies: (Do not be inhumane) (grant us charity) (Since the King of heavens) (Will prize you for that)
Adentro: Ya se pueden ir Y no molestar porque si me enfado Os voy a apalear	Inside - Still "probable" host answers: (You can already go away) (and do not bother) (because if I get upset) (I will beat you up)
Afuera: Venimos rendidos Desde Nazaret Yo soy carpintero De nombre José	Outside - Joseph insists: (We come exhausted) (From Nazareth) (I am a carpenter) (Named Joseph)
Adentro: No me importa el nombre Déjenme dormir Porque ya les digo Que no hemos de abrir	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)
Afuera: Posada te pide Amado casero Por sólo una noche La reina del cielo	Outside - Joseph expects reasoning: (She asks you shelter) (Dear innkeeper) (for just one night) (She, the queen of heaven)
Adentro: Pues si es una reina Quien lo solicita ¿Cómo es que de noche Anda tan solita?	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?)
Afuera: Mi esposa es María Es reina del cielo Y madre va a ser Del divino verbo	Outside - Joseph answers: (My wife is Mary) (She's the Heavenly Queen) (And she'll be mother) (Of the divine word)
Adentro: ¿Eres tú José? ¿Tu esposa es María? Entren peregrinos No los conocía	Inside - Convinced host finally offers shelter: (Are you Joseph?) (Is your wife Mary?) (Come in, pilgrims) (I did not know you)
Afuera: Dios pague, señores Vuestra caridad Y que os colme el cielo De felicidad	Outside - Joseph gratefully says: (May God pay, sirs) (your charity) (And may heaven swamp you) (With happiness)
Adentro: Dichosa la casa Que alberga este día A la virgen pura La hermosa María	Inside - Host replies: (Joyful be the house) (That this day hosts) (The pure virgin) (The beautiful Mary)

Everyone:

Spanish	English
¡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!	(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!)