Mi Burrito Sabanero (My Little Donkey from the Savannah) is a children’s Christmas song originally from Venezuela, but popular all over Latin America. I became (a little too) familiar with this catchy little jingle during my time in Peru, as it’s a staple at most chocolotadas (a Peruvian Christmas celebration for children).

Verse 1         

With my little grasslands donkey

I’m headed to Bethlehem.

With my little grasslands donkey

I’m headed to Bethlehem.

The kids I had the privilege to serve at our Mighty Fortress Mercy House in Lima would go bonkers when we sang this song. The harder I tried to convince them that Bethlehem was over 6,000 miles and an ocean away, and that donkeys from the Savannah don’t typically know how to swim, the louder they would sing…

Chorus

If they see me, if they see me,

I’m on my way to Bethlehem.

If they see me, if they see me,

I’m on my way to Bethlehem.

Why do small children in Latin America sing songs about visiting a “sleepy little town in the sere and arid Judean hills, six miles southwest of Jerusalem.?” (Maier, Paul. In the Fullness of Time)  

Tuqui, tuqui, tuqui, tuqui,

Tuqui, tuqui, tuqui, ta.

Hurry it up my little donkey,

We’re going to see Jesus!

Kids all over the world sing joyfully about the little town of Bethlehem because that’s where their Savior was born!