I posted this song/poem last year. Unfortunately, I did it on the wrong feast day! I published this not on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe but on the Feast of the saint to whom she appeared, Juan Diego. This year, however, the post is going up on the right feast day, December 12!
The song below is (or was) sung by pilgrims to the chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. I found it near the end of the book America’s Treasure: The Virgin of Guadalupe, by Helen Behrens. The original song is, I think, written in Aztec, not Spanish. Below is the English version, accompanied by the Aztec title.
I would have included the Aztec in this post, except that I could not be sure I would not misspell a word. It is probably possible to find Tonantzin Icuic somewhere on the Internet; it may even be possible to find the song being sung. I do not know. If these two options are somehow unavailable, I recommend you try to find America’s Treasure: The Virgin of Guadalupe. It is a fascinating little book, with lots of amazing details – including this song!
God and Mary go with you!
The Mithril Guardian
Song to Our Mother
(Tonantzin Icuic)
–
At the foot of the hill
Where the roses bloomed
I contemplate the Virgin
Who captured my heart.
–
Mother mine of Guadalupe
Mother mine, all love,
We beg thee to give us
Thy benediction and peace.
–
No other nation on earth
Has been so blessed by God
For that the Indians of Mexico
Carry thee in their hearts.
–
Guadalupe, Guadalupe,
The name that brings us joy,
May it be ever on our lips
With great devotion.
–
Mayest thou be praised in heaven
Sweet Virgin Mother of God
And on earth beloved
From end to end of our land.
–
On Tepeyac she appeared
Like a divine Star
She is there to be our light
To protect and guide us.
–
Glory to the Immortal Princess
Who freed us from great evil
And to make us happy
She crushed the serpent.
–
Guadalupe, Guadalupe,
The name that brings us solace
–
It’s the name of my mother,
Of my mother and of God’s.
Thoughts on the Edge of Forever 