Arbolito de Navidad (Dear Christmas Tree) is a Christmas carol or villancico of Cuban origins composed in the 1940s, with lyrics by Juan Oller Pons and music by Genaro Monreal Campanera. It is known throughout Latin-America, having first been popularized by
Jose Antonio Salaman.
The song is sung from the point of view of a young man, who asks his brother to come with him up the mountain to help him cut a Christmas tree, to offer it to the newborn Christ Child. He tells how the Three Kings and the shepherds follow the Star while coming to the Christ Child born of the beautiful Virgin, they sing to Him. He affirms that he would like to put little bells on the Christmas tree, to make a beautiful offering to the newborn Christ Child.
Arbol de Navidad is here interpreted by Mariachi Sol de Mexico, arranged by Jose Hernandez from the same group. Another interesting rendition by them is performed live,
here; Mariachi Imperial Azteca also sings the song in a Christmas concert
here.
