“El Burrito de Belén” or “El Burrito Sabanero” is a Christmas song from Venezuela which is very popular across Latin America. It was written in 1972 by Hugo Blanco and was first recorded by the Venezuelan folk singer Simón Díaz with accompaniment by the casa Venezuelan Children’s Choir for his album Las Gaitas de Simon. Another version, recorded in November 1972 by children’s musical group La Rondallita gained popularity in Latin America. It has since been recorded many times by popular artists. This version is performed by Colombian singer Juanes.
Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, who performs as Juanes, is a singer/songwriter from Carolina del Príncipe, Antioquia, Colombia. In 1988 he started a rock band called Ekhymosis which, despite playing alongside acts such as Alejandro Sanz, Aterciopelados and Ricky Martin, never achieved success outside of Colombia. The band broke up in 1998 so that Juanes could pursue a solo career. He released his first solo album Fíjate Bien in 2000. The album spent ten weeks at number one in Colombia and earned Juanes three Latin Grammy awards for Best New Artist, Best Rock Solo Vocal Album and Best Rock Song. However it too was unsuccessful in other countries.
His breakthrough came with his second album Un Día Normal in 2002, which was very successful in Latin America. It set a record spending 92 weeks in the top ten on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, and remained on the chart for two years. It was certified platinum and multi-platinum in several countries, and led Juanes to win three Latin Grammy Awards in 2003 for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year. The single “A Dios le Pido” spend 47 weeks on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, topped the charts in twelve countries, and won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2002.
Juanes’s awards include twenty Latin Grammy Awards and two Grammy Awards. In 2010 he received the BMI President’s Award at the BMI Latin Awards.
Diminutive – There are several examples of the diminutive form in Spanish in this song. This form is achieved by adding ‘-ito’ to the end of masculine nouns, or ‘-ita’ to the end of feminine nouns. While it can mean less than or smaller than the normal noun (for example ‘burrito’ could be interpreted as ‘little donkey’), often it is simply a stylistic change, with no change in meaning. When used with names, it is a form of endearment. The diminutive nouns in this song are:
burrito – burro – donkey
lucerito – lucero – brght star
cuatrico – cuatro – four stringed instrument
‘camino de’ – Literally translating as ‘path of’, this phrase means ‘towards’, ‘on the way to’ or ‘on one’s way to’.
‘ir a’ – The verb ‘ir’ means ‘to go’. As in English, when this verb is used with a place, it implies movement towards that place. But when it is used with another verb, it implies that that action will be preformed in the future. For example ‘I am going to the store’ ‘(voy a la tienda’) vs ‘I am going to eat’ (‘voy a comer’). The examples in this song are ‘vamos a llegar’ (we’re going to arrive) and ‘vamos a ver’ (we’re going to see).
‘cuatro’ – The term for the number four, this term is also the name of a four stringed musical instrument, similar to a guitar, just smaller.
‘ir + gerund’ – While, like ‘estar’, ‘ir’ is also used with the gerund to discuss actions in progress, it is used when you want to stress the progression of the action, highlighting that the change is happening incrementally. It is used to indicate a gradual, steady or progressive change, similar to saying something happens ‘little by little”.
Activities
We’ve created flashcards, games, and exercises to practice vocabulary and grammatical concepts found in this song. Check out our Activities Page to take your learning further!
Song Lyrics with Grammatical Breakdown
Mouse over a term for grammatical information. A chart of the terms and grammatical information can be found here.
Elelthe | def art | masc singBurritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivededefrom, of | prepBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
[Verse 1] Conconwith | prepmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivesabanerosabaneroof/from the savannah | adj | masc sing Voyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing Conconwith | prepmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivesabanerosabaneroof/from the savannah | adj | masc sing Voyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
[Chorus] Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
[Verse 2] Elelthe | def art | masc singluceritolucerobright star | noun | masc sing | diminutivemañaneromañaneromorning; early bird, early riser | adj | masc singiluminailuminarlight up; put lights on | verb | third pers sing presmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singsenderosenderopath, track, trail | noun | masc sing Elelthe | def art | masc singluceritolucerobright star | noun | masc sing | diminutivemañaneromañaneromorning; early bird, early riser | adj | masc singiluminailuminarlight up; put lights on | verb | third pers sing presmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singsenderosenderopath, track, trail | noun | masc sing
[Chorus] Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
[Bridge] Tuki tuki tuki tuki, tuki tuki tuki ta Apúrateapurarseto hurry (up) | verb | sec pers sing imperamimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivequequethat, than; because | conjyayanow, already | advvamosirto go | verb | first pers pl pres | ir a = to be going to (do)aato, into, by | prepllegarllegarto reach, arrive | verb | infin Tuki tuki tuki tuki, tuki tuki tuki ta Apúrateapurarseto hurry (up) | verb | sec pers sing imperamimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivevamosirto go | verb | first pers pl pres | ir a = to be going to (do)aato, into, by | prepververto see | verb | infinaano equivalent in EN | prep | personal a, used when dir obj a personJesúsJesúsJesus | noun, prop | masc sing
[Verse 3] Conconwith | prepmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singcuatricocuatrocuatro | noun | masc sing, dim | four stringed musical instrumentvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescantandocantarto sing; to confess | verb | ger Mimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivevairto go | verb | third pers sing prestrotandotrotarto trot; run | verb | ger Conconwith | prepmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singcuatricocuatrocuatro | noun | masc sing, dim | four stringed musical instrumentvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescantandocantarto sing; to confess | verb | ger Mimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivevairto go | verb | third pers sing prestrotandotrotarto trot; run | verb | ger
[Chorus] Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
[Verse 1] Conconwith | prepmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivesabanerosabaneroof/from the savannah | adj | masc sing Voyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing Conconwith | prepmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivesabanerosabaneroof/from the savannah | adj | masc sing Voyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
[Chorus] Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
[Bridge] Tuki tuki tuki tuki, tuki tuki tuki ta Apúrateapurarseto hurry (up) | verb | sec pers sing imperamimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivequequethat, than; because | conjyayanow, already | advvamosirto go | verb | first pers pl pres | ir a = to be going to (do)aato, into, by | prepllegarllegarto reach, arrive | verb | infin Tuki tuki tuki tuki, tuki tuki tuki ta Apúrateapurarseto hurry (up) | verb | sec pers sing imperamimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivevamosirto go | verb | first pers pl pres | ir a = to be going to (do)aato, into, by | prepververto see | verb | infinaano equivalent in EN | prep | personal a, used when dir obj a personJesúsJesúsJesus | noun, prop | masc sing
[Verse 1] Conconwith | prepmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivesabanerosabaneroof/from the savannah | adj | masc sing Voyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing Conconwith | prepmimimy | poss adj | masc and fem singburritoburrodonkey | noun | masc | diminutivesabanerosabaneroof/from the savannah | adj | masc sing Voyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
[Chorus] Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing Sisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plsisiif | conjmememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers singven,verto see, watch; understand | verb | third pers plvoyirto go | verb | first pers sing prescaminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way todedefrom, of | prep | camino de = towards, on the way to, on one's way toBelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
Lyrics with Translation
Songs in any language often leave room for multiple interpretations. Following is my interpretation of the song lyrics.
El Burrito de Belén The donkey of Bethlehem
[Verse 1] Con mi burrito sabanero With my little donkey from the savannah Voy camino de Belén I’m on my way to Bethlehem Con mi burrito sabanero With my little donkey from the savannah Voy camino de Belén I’m on my way to Bethlehem
[Chorus] Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem
[Verse 2] El lucerito mañanero ilumina mi sendero The morning star illuminates my path El lucerito mañanero ilumina mi sendero The morning star illuminates my path
[Chorus] Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem
[Bridge] Tuki tuki tuki tuki, tuki tuki tuki ta Apúrate mi burrito que ya vamos a llegar Hurry up my little donkey, we’re going to arrive Tuki tuki tuki tuki, tuki tuki tuki ta Apúrate mi burrito vamos a ver a Jesús Hurry up my little donkey, we’re going to see Jesus
[Verse 3] Con mi cuatrico voy cantando With my cuatrico I go along singing Mi burrito va trotando My donkey is trotting Con mi cuatrico voy cantando With my cuatrico I go along singing Mi burrito va trotando My donkey is trotting
[Chorus] Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem
[Verse 1] Con mi burrito sabanero With my little donkey from the savannah Voy camino de Belén I’m on my way to Bethlehem Con mi burrito sabanero With my little donkey from the savannah Voy camino de Belén I’m on my way to Bethlehem
[Chorus] Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem
[Bridge] Tuki tuki tuki tuki, tuki tuki tuki ta Apúrate mi burrito que ya vamos a llegar Hurry up my little donkey, we’re going to arrive Tuki tuki tuki tuki, tuki tuki tuki ta Apúrate mi burrito vamos a ver a Jesús Hurry up my little donkey, we’re going to see Jesus
[Verse 1] Con mi burrito sabanero With my little donkey from the savannah Voy camino de Belén I’m on my way to Bethlehem Con mi burrito sabanero With my little donkey from the savannah Voy camino de Belén I’m on my way to Bethlehem
[Chorus] Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem Si me ven, si me ven voy camino de Belén (x2) If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem (x2)
This one goes out to Professora Miller! “Tacones Rojos” is a song by Colombian singer Sebastián Yatra that was released in October of 2021 and appears on his third studio album Dharma. It topped the Read more…
“100 Años” is a song by American Latin pop duo Ha*Ash and American singer Prince Royce. It was released in October of 2017 and appears on Ha*Ash’s fifth studio album 30 de Febrero. It reached number one on the Read more…
By request! “Un Año” is a collaboration between Colombian singer Sebastián Yatra and Mexican pop-rock band Reik. It was released in January of 2019 and appears on Sebastián Yatra’s 2019 album Fantasía. The single reached Read more…
