Oratorio de los Muertos

This song was written for Día de los Muertos by Tim Weed while living in in Tucson, Arizona. He was inspired to write a song for the All Souls Procession, a grand city-wide event that is both festive and reverent, and is infused with community art, music and ritual. The recording is separated into harmony parts for non-commercial use by choral groups.

Lyrics

Cementerio, Santuario
Oratorio de los muertos
Todas almas, Todos santos
Es la fiesta de los muertos

Hacemos los dulces
Encendémos las velas
Bailamos en maravillas
Celebrámos muerte en vida

Los angeles y los fantasmas
Un gran coro harmonizamos
Cenpasúchil* y calavera
Celebramos muerte en vida

*Cenpasúchil is the Nahuatl word for "flower of the dead" (marigold)

Translation

Cemetery, sanctuary
Oratorio of the dead
All souls, all saints
It's the party for the dead

We make the sweets
We light the candles
We dance in marvel/with marigolds
Let's celebrate death in life

The angels and the ghosts
One big chorus in harmony
Marigolds, candy skulls
Let's celebrate death in life

© Tim Weed

Credits:
Lyrics & Music: Tim Weed
Banjo: Tim Weed
Vocals: Tim Weed, Devi Daly & Todd Pickering

----
​

West Marin Choir is a program of Sound Orchard, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to building community through music. Based in northern California, Sound Orchard is able to offer this song to the public thanks to the support of individual donors and community grants. Learn more and donate
​