Pedir posada

"Pedir posada" (English: Asking for a place to stay) is a song traditionally sung in the Posadas — a traditional Christmas celebration in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries.

Lyrics

Spanish

English

Afuera:

Outside - Joseph asks:

En nombre del cielo
Os pido posada
Pues no puede andar
Mi esposa amada 

(In the name of heaven)
(I request you grant us shelter)
(Given that she cannot walk)
(She my beloved wife)

Adentro:

Inside - "Probable" host answers:

Aquí no es mesón
Sigan adelante
Yo no puedo abrir
No sea algun tunante 

(This is not an Inn)
(Please continue ahead)
(I can not open)
(You may be a robber)

Afuera:

Outside - Joseph replies:

No seas inhumano
Tennos caridad
Que el Rey de los cielos
Te lo premiará 

(Please do not be inhumane)
(grant us charity)
(Since the King of heavens)
(Will prize you for that)

Adentro:

Inside - Still "probable" host answers:

Ya se pueden ir
Y no molestar
porque si me enfado
Os voy a apalear 

(You can already go away)
(and do not bother)
(because if I get upset)
(I will beat you up)

Afuera:

Outside - Joseph insists:

Venimos rendidos
Desde Nazaret
Yo soy carpintero
De nombre José 

(We come exhausted)
(From Nazareth)
(I am a carpenter)
(Named Joseph)

Adentro:

Inside - Still unconvinced host replies:

No me importa el nombre
Déjenme dormir
Porque ya les digo
Que no hemos de abrir 

(I don't care about your name)
(Let me go to sleep)
(Because, as I said)
(We shall not open)

Afuera:

Outside - Joseph expects reasoning:

Posada te pide
Amado casero
Por sólo una noche
La reina del cielo 

(She asks you shelter)
(Dear innkeeper)
(for just one night)
(She, the queen of heaven)

Adentro:

Inside - Almost convinced host asks:

Pues si es una reina
Quien lo solicita
¿Cómo es que de noche
Anda tan solita? 

(Well, if she's a queen)
(who is asking for it?)
(how is it that at night)
(she travels so alone?)

Afuera:

Outside - Joseph answers:

Mi esposa es María
Es reina del cielo
Y madre va a ser
Del divino verbo 

(My wife is Mary)
(She's the Heavenly Queen)
(And she'll be mother)
(Of the divine word)

Adentro:

Inside - Convinced host finally offers shelter:

¿Eres tú José?
¿Tu esposa es María?
Entren peregrinos
No los conocía 

(Are you Joseph?)
(Is your wife Mary?)
(Come in, pilgrims)
(I did not know you)

Afuera:

Outside - Joseph gratefully says:

Dios pague, señores
Vuestra caridad
Y que os colme el cielo
De felicidad 

(May God pay, sirs)
(your charity)
(And may heaven swamp you)
(With happiness)

Adentro:

Inside - Host replies:

Dichosa la casa
Que alberga este día
A la virgen pura
La hermosa María 

(Happy be the house)
(That this day hosts)
(The pure virgin)
(The beautiful Mary)

Everyone:

¡Entren santos peregrinos! (Come in, holy pilgrims!)
¡Reciban éste rincón! (Receive this corner!)
Que aunque es pobre la morada (Because, even though the place is poor)
¡Se las doy de corazón! (I offer it to you from my heart!)

Also see http://youtube.com/watch?v=FwMJk1xE4gI&feature=related