Ríu Ríu Chíu (Riu Riu Chiu) - English translation

Spanish Folk

Ríu Ríu Chíu (Riu Riu Chiu)

6 translations

Also performed by:

Anúna

David Archuleta

+2 more

Original lyrics

Translation

Ríu Ríu Chíu (Riu Riu Chiu)

Riu, riu, chiu

la guarda ribera /

Dios guardó el lobo

de nuestra cordera /

Dios guardó el lobo

de nuestra cordera.

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 ...

Riu Riu Chiu

Riu, riu, chiu

The river bank is protected

God has kept the wolf

From our ewe lamb

God has kept the wolf

From our ewe lamb

The rabid wolf

Wanted to bite her

But Almighty God

Knew how to defend her

He willed to make her

Unable to sin

Even original sin

This virgin did not have

Riu, riu, chiu...

The one who is born

Is the Great Monarch

Christ the Patriarch

Clothed in flesh

He has redeemed us

By making himself small

Though he was infinite

He became finite

Riu, riu, chiu...

He comes to give

Life to the dead

He comes to repair

The fall of all mankind

This Child

Is the light of day

He is the Lamb

Of whom St. John spoke

Riu, riu, chiu...

I saw a thousand Angels

Who were singing

Flying around

Chanting in a thousand voices

Saying to the shepherds

Glory in Heaven

And peace on earth

For Jesus is born

Riu, riu, chiu...

Now we have

What we desire

Let us go together

To present him gifts

Let us all give him

Our will

For he came

As our equal

Riu, riu, chiu...

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Song details

Translation details

Vigeland

submitted on 11 Apr 2014 - 21:48

Added in reply to request by

Gulalys

Author's comments:

A Spanish Christmas carol (villancico) dating from the 16th century. According to Wikipedia and some other sources, "ríu ríu chíu" apparently represents the call of a kingfisher, which could be a metaphor for God protecting the Virgin Mary from the devil. In keeping with this metaphor, the ambiguous second line can be loosely interpreted as "The river bank is protected", although other interpretations are possible.