New Mexico State Poem

"To New Mexico"

Written by Luis Tafoya

Adopted in 1991.

The poem, "A Nuevo Mexico," (To New Mexico,) written by Luis Tafoya,  a year before New Mexico became a state was adopted as the official state poem of New Mexico in 1991 during the fortieth legislative session. The official version is in both Spanish - as it was originally written - and English.

New Mexico State Poem: "To New Mexico"

Origin of Poem: "A Nuevo Mexico" ( "To New Mexico")

Written by Luis Tafoya in January, 1911, a year before New Mexico became a state and it was declared to be the official state poem during the fortieth legislative session, January, 1991.

Source: New Mexico Blue Book

New Mexico Law

The law designating the poem "A Nuevo Mexico", written by Luis Tafoya  as the official New Mexico state poem is found in the New Mexico Statutes, Title 12, Article 3, Section 12-3-11

Chapter 12, Article 3 of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated
12-3-11. State poem.

The poem "A Nuevo Mexico", written by Luis Tafoya in January 1911, is declared to be the official state poem. The poem, with its English translation, is as follows:

12-3-11. State poem.
The poem "A Nuevo Mexico", written by Luis Tafoya in January 1911, is declared to be the official state poem. The poem, with its English translation, is as follows:

"Levanta, Nuevo Mexico, esa abatida frente
que anubla los encantos de tu serena faz,
y alborozado acoje corona refulgente,
simbolo de gloria y de ventura y paz.

Despues de tantos anos de lucha y de porfia,
tu suerte se ha cambiado y ganas la victoria,
llegando a ver por fin el venturoso dia
que es colmo de tu dicha y fuente de tu gloria.

Has sido un gran imperio, colmado de riqueza,
y grandes contratiempos tuviste que sufrir,
mas ahora triunfo pleno alcanza tu entereza,
y el premio a tu constancia pudiste conseguir.

Tu pueblo por tres siglos aislado y solitario,
de nadie tuvo ayuda, de nadie proteccion,
lucho por su existencia osado y temerario,
sellando con su sangre dominio y posesion.

Tras tan heroico esfuerzo por fin has merecido
el bien que procurabas con insistencia tanta
de que en la Union de Estados fueses admitido
con la soberania que al hombre libre encanta.

Obstaculos y estorbos del todo desaparecen,
y entrada libre tienes a la gloriosa Union,
en donde los ciudadanos prosperan y florecen,
con tantas garantias y tanta proteccion.


Por tan pasmosa dicha el parabien te damos,
a ti como a tus hijos, de honor tan senalado,
y que en tu nueva esfera de veras esperamos
que a fuer de gran imperio seras un gran estado.

TO NEW MEXICO

Lift, New Mexico, your tired forehead
That clouds the enchantment of your peaceful face,
And joyfully receive the bright crown,
Symbol of glory, venture, and peace.

After so many years of fight and persistence
Your luck has changed and you gain victory,
Reaching up to see your fortunate day at last
That is an overflow of happiness and the fountain of your glory.

You have been a great empire filled with riches,
And many mishaps you had to suffer,
But now complete triumph reach up to your integrity,
And reward for your constancy, you were able to achieve.

Your people for three centuries, isolated and lonely,
With help or protection from nobody,
They fought for their existence, reckless and daring
Sealing with their blood their dominion and possession.

After such heroic effort finally you deserve
The goodness with such an insistence you procure,
To be admitted in the state of the union
With the sovereignty that is a free man's enchantment.

Obstacles and hindrance for good they disappear,
And free admittance you have to the glorious union,
Where the people prosper and flourish
With so many guarantees and great protection.


For that marvelous satisfaction we welcome you,
You and your children such a deserved honor,
And in your new sphere we truly hope
That by dint of imperiousness a great state you will become".
History: Laws 1991, ch. 202, § 1.