Luna de Xelajú
"Luna de Xelajú" is a popular Guatemalan waltz composed by Paco Pérez in 1944.
The title translates as "moon of Xelajú". "Xelajú" is the Kʼicheʼ Maya name for the Guatemalan city Quetzaltenango, popularly called "Xelajú", or "Xela".
The song was written to Eugenia Cohen, with whom the author was in a relationship but who eventually left him, because her parents disapproved.
Despite the specific context in which the song was written, it is sometimes referred to as Guatemala's second national anthem.
The song has been performed by several musical acts, including Guatemalan singer and Grammy Award-winner Gaby Moreno. In 2023, she recorded a collaboration with actor Oscar Isaac, which was released as a single and included on her album X Mí .
Song lyrics
The following are the song's lyrics, although it is frequently performed instrumentally:Luna gardenia de plata
Que mi serenata te vuelves canción
Tú que me viste cantando
Me ves hoy llorando mi desilusión
Calles bañadas de luna
Que fueron la cuna de mi juventud
Vengo a cantarle a mi amada
Mi luna plateada de mi Xelajú
Vengo a cantarle a mi amada
Mi luna plateada de mi Xelajú
Luna de Xelajú
Que supiste alumbrar
En mis noches de pena
Por una morena de dulce mirar
Luna de Xelajú me diste inspiración
La canción que hoy te canto
Regada con llanto de mi corazón
En mi vida no habrá
Más cariño que tú
Por que no eres ingrata
Mi luna de plata
Luna de Xelajú
Luna que me alumbró
En mis noches de amor
Hoy consuelas la pena
Por una morena
Que me abandonó