Ríu ríu chíu, la guarda ribera,
Ríu ríu chíu, the riverbank protector,
Dios guardó el lobo de nuestra cordera.
God kept the wolf from our lamb.
El lobo rabioso la quiso morder
The raging wolf tried to bite her
Mas Dios Poderoso la supo defender
But Almighty God knew how to defend her
Quiso la hacer que no pudiese pecar
He wished to make her unable to sin
Ni aún original esta virgen no tuviera.
Not even original sin did this virgin have.
Este que ha nacido es el Gran Monarca
He who is born is the Great Monarch
Cristo Patriarca de carne vestido
Christ the Patriarch clothed in flesh
Ha nos redimido con se hacer chiquito
He has redeemed us by making Himself small
Aunque era infinito finito se hiciera.
Though He was infinite, He became finite.
Yo vi mil garzones que andaban cantando
I saw a thousand lads walking and singing
Por aquí volando haciendo mil sones
Flying around here, making a thousand sounds
Diciendo a gascones Gloria sea en el Cielo
Saying to the Gascons: Glory be in Heaven
Y paz en el suelo pues Jesús naciera.
And peace on Earth, for Jesus was born.
Este viene a dar a los muertos vida
He comes to give life to the dead
y viene a reparar de todos la caída;
and comes to repair the fall of all;
en la luz del día aqueste mozuelo;
in the light of day, this young boy;
este es el cordero que San Juan dijera.
this is the lamb that Saint John spoke of.
Pues que ya tenemos lo que deseamos,
Since we now have what we desired,
todos juntos vamos, presentes llevemos;
let us all go together and bring gifts;
todos le daremos nuestra voluntad,
we will all give Him our will,
pues a se igualar con el hombre viniera.
for He came to be equal with man.
