Riu Riu Chiu

My favourite Christmas song is Riu Riu Chiu (and this version includes some percussion, which I enjoy, but the voices don't seem as polished).  It is a late Mideaval Spanish Christmas song with an enchanting rhythm and beautiful, Christ-centered lyrics.  I also like Silent Night, Away in a Manger, and Good King Wenceslas and all of the Bing Crosby Christmas songs, but they are all somewhat elevator appropriate for me after all these years.  Riu Riu Chiu still gets my attention.  I have to stop and listen and somehow keep beat with my body.  It may just be that I am a sucker for good rhythm.

Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds)

The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from our lamb

The rabid wolf tried to bite her
But God Almighty knew how to defend her
He wished to create her impervious to sin
Nor was this maid to embody original sin

Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds)
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from our lamb

He comes to give life to the dead
He comes to redeem the fall of man
This child is the light of day
He is the very lamb Saint John prophecied

Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds)
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from our lamb

A thousand singing herons
I saw passing,
Flying overhead, sounding
A thousand voices
Exhulting, "Glory be in the
heavens, and peace on earth,
for Jesus has been born."

Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds)
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from our lamb

He comes to give life to the dead
He comes to redeem the fall of man
This child is the light of day
He is the very lamb Saint John
prophesied

Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds)
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from our lamb

A thousand singing herons
I saw passing
Flying overhead, sounding
a thousand voices
Exhulting, "Glory be in the
heavens, and peace on earth
for Jesus has been born."

Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds)
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from our lamb.