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
Refrain:
Riu, riu, chiu la guarda ribera /
Dios guard� el lobo de nuestra cordera /
Dios guard� 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 Mo�uelo /
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.