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El Burrito Sabanero (The Grassland Donkey)

A joyful Venezuelan Christmas classic with a whole lot of rhythm!

English Translation

I’m riding to Bethlehem on my grassland donkey
If you see me, I’m going to Bethlehem
I sing with my cuatrico, as my donkey trots along
If you see me, I’m going to Bethlehem

Hurry up, my little donkey, we’re almost there!
Hurry up, my little donkey, we’re going to see Jesus!

Hugo Blanco’s El Burrito Sabanero is one of the most beloved Christmas songs in the Spanish-speaking world—a cheerful Venezuelan villancico that has become a holiday favorite far beyond its native country. Written in 1972, the song became a sensation when it was recorded by the Venezuelan children’s group La Rondallita, helping turn this irresistibly catchy Christmas song into a favorite throughout Latin America and beyond.

Blanco himself was a fascinating character. Born in Caracas in 1940, he picked up the Venezuelan cuatro at age 15 and taught himself to play by listening to the radio. He went on to become one of Venezuela’s best-known composers, arrangers, and performers, writing the international hit Moliendo Café as well as numerous other Venezuelan favorites.

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There is something wonderfully appropriate about El Burrito Sabanero becoming famous through the voices of children. Its Spanish text, infectious rhythmic pulse, repeated phrases, and exuberant melody make it a perfect villancico for young, enthusiastic singers. The music practically invites a choir to move!

This arrangement brings all of that joyful energy right into the hands of the singers. The piece can be performed a cappella, but the optional accompaniment opens up a whole new level of excitement. Piano provides the rhythmic foundation, while optional percussion—cajón, shakers, or similar instruments—can turn the performance into a genuine Latin-inspired celebration. For ensembles with instrumentalists, an improvised guitar and/or bass part can add even more rhythmic drive and give the performance a wonderfully spontaneous feel.

With its bright energy and instantly memorable melody, El Burrito Sabanero makes an outstanding high-energy Christmas concert closer. It brings a fresh Latin American flavor to the Christmas program while remaining wonderfully accessible to singers, and its infectious rhythms and joyful spirit give young performers every opportunity to sing with personality, confidence, and sheer delight.

Performance Options

  • SATB choir with piano
  • SATB a cappella
  • Piano + optional percussion
  • Optional improvised guitar and bass
  • Excellent for youth, school, community, and church choirs
  • A particularly effective high-energy Christmas concert finale

About This Arrangement

M. Ryan Taylor originally arranged El Burrito Sabanero for the American Fork Children’s Choir, now known as Timpanogos Youth Choirs. The arrangement was first performed at the annual Christmas in the Rotunda celebration at the American Fork Library in Utah County. In 2026, Taylor returned to the piece and created a new piano accompaniment in preparation for a repeat performance in that same venue.

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (2000) and Master of Music in Composition (2002) from Brigham Young University. He has studied conducting with Mack Wilberg, Ronald Staheli, and Zsuzsanna Mindszenty, and is a Kodály-certified developmental music education specialist. He served for ten years as conductor and artistic director of the American Fork Children’s Choir and currently conducts Timpanogos Singers, Timpanogos Youth Choirs, and Choirworks Radio Singers. His catalog includes dozens of choral works as well as operas, art songs, song cycles, children’s music, hymns, and chamber music, with his choral works performed internationally.

El Burrito Sabanero is a particularly fitting addition to that body of work: music made for children to sing with rhythm, personality, and pure Christmas joy.

Share Your Performance

I would love to hear your choir perform this piece! Please consider sending me a recording, photos, a copy of your program, or a link to your performance at ryan@choirworks.com.

With your permission, I may share selected recordings, photos, or performance information through Choirworks’ website and social media to help introduce your ensemble to other singers and conductors—and to help other choirs discover this piece. Thank you for giving this work a life beyond the page!

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