Ríu Ríu Chíu
Introduction thumbBeginning fragment of the villancicoSlightly more polyphonic beginning fragment'''Ríu Ríu Chíu''', sometimes shortened to '''Ríu Ríu''' or '''Ríu Chíu''', is a Spanish villancico that has attained some contemporary fame as a Christmas carol.
Origins The villancico is attributed by some sources to Mateo Flecha the Elder, who died in 1553; it has also been described as anonymous. The song also bears a strong resemblance to another villancico, ''Falalanlera'', by Bartomeu Càrceres, an Aragonese composer. It is known from a single source, the ''Cancionero de Upsala'', published in 1556 in Venice; a unique copy is preserved at the library of the University of Uppsala. The song appears as the fortieth song of that collection. Daniel R. Melamed described the song as "redoubtable", and mentions it as a contender for the best known piece of Renaissance music.The apparently nonsense syllables ''ríu ríu chíu'' are often taken to represent the song of a nightingale, while the context and etymology are compatible with the call of a kingfisher.Riu translates as river in the Catalan language, in agreement with the birth place of the accredited composer, and was translated as river by The Monkees, where the roaring river prevented a wolf from crossing to attack sheep.
Themes The basic theme of the song is the nativity of Christ and the Immaculate Conception. The refrain which gives the villancico its title goes:Ríu, ríu, chíu, la guarda ribera,Dios guardó el lobo de nuestra cordera. ::"With a cry of Ríu, ríu, chíu, the kingfisher, God kept the wolf from our Lamb Mary, spared of original sin at birth. "The Immaculate Conception is mentioned in the lyrics:El lobo rabioso la quiso morderMas Dios Poderoso la supo defenderQuísola hacer que no pudiese pecarNi aun original esta virgen no tuviera. ::"The raging wolf sought to bite her, but God Almighty knew (how) to defend her; He chose to make her so that she could not sin; no original sin was found in that virgin. "The song also mentions themes of the Incarnation and Christmas:Éste que es nacido es el Gran MonarcaCristo Patriarca de carne vestidoHamos redimido con se hacer chiquitoAunque era infinito finito se hiciera. ::"This one that is born is the Great King, Christ the Patriarch clothed in flesh. He redeemed us when He made himself small, though He was Infinite He would make himself finite. "Muchas profecías lo han profetizadoY aún en nuestros días lo hemos alcanzadoA Dios humanado vemos en el sueloY al hombre en el cielo porque Él le quisiera::"Many prophecies have prophesied it, and even in our days we have reached it, God in flesh we see on the ground, and men in heaven because He would wanted"Yo vi mil Garzones que andavan cantandoPor aqui volando haciendo mil sonesDiciendo a gascones Gloria sea en el CieloY paz en el suelo pues Jesús nasciera. ::"I saw a thousand boys (angels) go singing, here making a thousand voices while flying, telling the shepherds of glory in the heavens, and peace to the world since Jesus has been born"
Performances Classical and early music performers of the song include the Boston Camerata and the Oxford Camerata. In 1967, the Monkees performed the song live on a Christmas episode of their TV series entitled "The Monkees' Christmas Show". A studio version was released on subsequent compilation albums (and later on the 2018 album ''Christmas Party)''. The Monkees' producer, Chip Douglas, had performed it himself with his former band, the Modern Folk Quartet, on their 1964 album ''Changes''.The song was performed in Spanish at King's College, Cambridge in a 1992 Christmas Eve broadcast service entitled "Nine Lessons and Carols".The song has appeared on the following albums:* ''Goin' Places'' (1961) by The Kingston Trio (listed as "Guardo el Lobo" and credited to musicologist Erich Schwandt)* ''Our Heart's Joy: A Chanticleer Christmas'' (1990) by Chanticleer* ''The Season'' (1990) by Fred Penner* ''Christmas'' (1993) by Bruce Cockburn* ''Christmas Around the World'' (2000) by Bradley Joseph* ''Cynara'' (2000) by Anúna. * ''Midwinter'' (2003) by The McDades with Terry McDade * ''The Dawn of Grace'' (2008) by Sixpence None the Richer* ''Christmas from the Heart'' (2009) by David Archuleta* ''O Holy Night'' (2012) by Millennial Choirs and Orchestras (listed as "Jesús Nasciera")* ''Deepest December'' (2015) by Patricia O'Callaghan
See also * List of Christmas carols
References
External links * Complete rhyming translations of "Riu Riu Chiu" into English and Esperanto, with simple melody score* Covers on WhoSampled* Recording (1961) by The Kingston Trio* Recording (1967) by The Monkees