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Riu, Riu, Chiu

Spanish Christmas Carol

This traditional Spanish Christmas carol in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary is of the type known as a 'villancico', dating from the 16th century. The song is a lesson in Catholic doctrine on the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady as well as the birth of Our Lord who came to redeem the world from the guilt of sin.

Normally it is sung by a lone male voice, with a choir singing the chorus.


Listen to Riu Riu Chiu
Listen to Riu Riu Chiu

Refrain:

Riu, riu, chiu
la guarda ribera /
Dios guardó el lobo
de nuestra cordera /
Dios guardó el lobo
de nuestra cordera.

Verses:

El lobo rabioso
la quiso morder /
Mas Dios Poderoso
la supo defender /
Quizo la hacer que
no pudiese pecar /
Ni aun original
esta virgen no tuviera.

Riu, riu, chiu...

Este que es nascido
es El Gran Monarca /
Cristo Patriarca
de carne vestido /
Ha nos redimido
con se hacer chiquito /
Aunque era infinito
finito se hiciera.

Riu, riu, chiu ...

Este viene a dar
a los muertos vida /
Y viene a reparar
de todos la caida /
Es la luz del dia
aqueste Moçuelo /
Este es el Cordero
que San Juan dijera.

Riu, riu, chiu ...

Yo vi mil Garzones
que andavan cantando /
Por aqui volando
haciendo mil sones /
Diciendo a gascones
Gloria sea en el Cielo /
Y paz en el suelo
pues Jesus nasciera.

Riu, riu, chiu ...

Pues que ya tenemos
lo que deseamos /
Todos juntos vamos
presentes llevemos /
Todos le daremos
nuestra voluntad /
Pues a se igualar
con nosotros viniera.

Riu, riu, chiu ...

Refrain:

Riu, riu, chiu
the river bank protects it /
God kept our lamb (Our Lady)
from the wolf (the Devil) /
God kept our lamb (Our Lady)
from the wolf.

Verses:

The rabid wolf
wanted to bite her /
But Almighty God knew
how to defend her /
He decided to make Her
impervious to sin /
Even original sin
this Virgin did not have.

Riu, riu, chiu….

This One who is born
is the Grand Monarch /
The Patriarch Christ
dressed in human flesh /
He has redeemed us
by making Himself small /
Although He is infinite
He made Himself finite.

Riu, riu, chiu ...

He comes to give life
to those who were dead /
And to repair
the fall of all /
This Child is the light
of the day /
He is the Lamb of whom
St. John the Baptist spoke.

Riu, riu, chiu ...

I saw thousands of Angels
that were singing /
Flying around,
making much music /
Telling the shepherds,
Glory in the Heavens /
and Peace on earth
for Jesus is born.

Riu, riu, chiu ...

Now we have
what we desired /
Let us go together
to present Him gifts /
Let each give
his will to Him /
Because He became
equal to us.

Riu, riu, chiu ...

Riu Riu Chiu sheet music

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King David playing the harp


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