Riu Riu Chiu
(Spanish traditional arr Kwasnik/Solomons)

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This is a villancico in honour of the BVM, arranged loosely on John Kwasnik's sequence, and performed by the dwsChorale.
I have added African drums to achieve a more "world music" feel.
This performance uses just three of the eight verses.

Riu, riu, chiu
La guarda ribera
Dios guarde el lobo
De nuestra cordera


El lobo rabioso La quiso morder
Mas Dios poderoso La supo defender
Quizola hazer que No pudiesse pecar
Ni aun original Esta virgen no tuviera


Riu, riu, chiu
La guarda ribera
Dios guarde el lobo
De nuestra cordera


Este qu'es nacido es el gran monarca,
Christo patriarca de carne vestido;
Hemos redemido con se hazer chiquito
Aunqu'era infinito, finito se hiziera.


Riu, riu, chiu
La guarda ribera
Dios guarde el lobo
De nuestra cordera


Yo vi mil Garzones que andavan cantando,
Por aqui volando, haciendo mil sones,
Diziendo a gascones Gloria sea en el cielo
Y paz en el suelo qu'es Jesus nascieta.


Riu, riu, chiu
La guarda ribera
Dios guarde el lobo
De nuestra cordera
Riu, riu, chiu
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
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from our lamb



He who's now begotten is our mighty Monarch
Christ, our Holy Father, in human flesh embodied
He has brought atonement by being born so humble
Though He is immortal, as mortal was created


Riu, riu, chiu
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
Exulting, "Glory be in the
heavens, and peace on earth,
for Jesus has been born."


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




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